Pune: A recent report by the Shiv Sena’s women’s wing has highlighted widespread safety, hygiene, and accessibility issues at Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus terminals, particularly affecting women, children, senior citizens, and people with disabilities.
The investigation was triggered by a shocking incident of sexual assault that took place earlier this year at Pune’s Swargate MSRTC bus stand. Following the incident, Shiv Sena MLC Dr. Manisha Kayande and the party’s deputy leader Sheetal Mhatre led a month-long on-ground assessment covering 87 bus depots across 20 districts in the state.
Conducted between February 5 and March 5, the survey involved surprise checks of women’s restrooms, “Hirkani” rooms (designated resting areas for women), drinking water facilities, lighting, security infrastructure, CCTV coverage, and police patrolling at each site.
Key Findings:
Inadequate sanitation: Numerous stations were found lacking clean and functioning toilets for both female passengers and staff.
Lack of support for nursing mothers: Most bus stations did not provide suitable nursing or lactation rooms.
Unsafe conditions for women employees: Several depots lacked secure office spaces or rest areas for female staff.
Missing grievance mechanisms: No functional internal complaints committees were in place to address workplace harassment.
No awareness materials: Stations had no visible signage educating women on their rights or harassment-related laws.
The report pointed to the absence of basic infrastructure for differently-abled passengers, such as ramps and handrails. Drinking water availability was also a concern, with many purifiers found to be either non-functional or unhygienic.
Furthermore, the lack of proper lighting after dark rendered several depots unsafe. The review found minimal security presence and inadequate police patrolling despite high passenger volume. Limited CCTV coverage further compounded the risk to commuter safety.
The findings were officially submitted to Maharashtra’s Transport Minister, Pratap Sarnaik. In response, Sarnaik assured that the report would be thoroughly reviewed. He also announced that tenders are being floated for constructing new toilets and that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships with fuel vendors are being explored to fund the installation of electronic toilets (e-toilets) at bus depots.
Dr. Kayande confirmed that a formal communication has been made to the Transport Department, stressing the urgency of addressing these critical gaps.
The Shiv Sena Mahila Aghadi has urged the state government to implement immediate reforms, aiming to transform MSRTC bus stations into safer, more hygienic, and inclusive public spaces for all commuters.
