Surajya Abhiyan calls for immediate revival of ST helpline systems
Mumbai – The consistent follow-up by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s ‘Surajya Abhiyan’ regarding the cleanliness of ST (State Transport) depots across the state has achieved significant success. Taking cognisance of this, the State Government has launched the ‘Hinduhṛidayasamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Swachh Sundar Bus Sthaanak Abhiyan’ (Clean and Beautiful Bus Depot campaign). Under this initiative, depot managers have been instructed to carry out ‘deep cleaning’ of bus depots every 15 days to ensure regular maintenance of cleanliness.
While Surajya Abhiyan has welcomed this decision, it has pointed out that although bus stand premises may appear clean and well-maintained, the passenger helpline system remains defunct. Therefore, Surajya Abhiyan has demanded that the fortnightly ‘deep cleaning’ drive should not be limited merely to cleaning floors and premises, but should also include the revival of the defunct helpline systems across the state.
The ST administration has recently taken positive steps regarding cleanliness; however, ‘Surajya Abhiyan’ has drawn attention to a serious discrepancy. At several bus depots, the enquiry counter telephones are either not answered or remain switched off. When passengers try to obtain information about bus timings, schedule changes, or wish to register complaints, they receive no response. There have been countless complaints from passengers regarding these unanswered and inactive helplines. Taking note of widespread complaints, Surajya Abhiyan submitted memorandums to 21 depot managers across Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Solapur, Sindhudurg, Nashik, Jalgaon, and Akola to highlight this administrative failure. Acting on the formal email sent by Surajya Abhiyan, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and MSRTC leadership have issued immediate directives to 31 divisions to rectify these lapses.
Expressing Surajya Abhiyan’s stance on this issue, Mr. Abhishek Murkute, Maharashtra State Coordinator of Surajya Abhiyan, stated, “It is a welcome move that the administration has taken note of our memorandum and launched the ‘Swachh Sundar Bus Sthaanak Abhiyan’ (Clean and Beautiful Bus Depot campaign). However, without an active helpline, this campaign remains incomplete. If passengers are unable to contact the ST at all, what is the use of beautification? Therefore, checking and ensuring the functionality of the communication system should be made a mandatory part of the cleanliness drive conducted every 15 days.”
