Archive · 12 Sep 2026
MSRTC Diverts 2,011 Buses for Ganeshotsav Rush, Sparking Service Concerns
Many people travel from the Mumbai area to Konkan during Ganeshotsav.
To carry them, MSRTC is bringing 2,011 buses from other parts of Maharashtra.
Mumbai, Thane and Palghar need more buses than they have available.
The extra buses will run between September 10 and 13.
This may mean fewer buses for everyday passengers in the districts sending vehicles.
Students, workers and rural commuters could face cancelled or reduced trips.
Some people may have to use private buses, which could charge higher fares.
Buses might also stay in Konkan longer to bring passengers back after the festival.
MSRTC is diverting 2,011 buses from across Maharashtra to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region for Ganeshotsav travel.
Mumbai, Thane and Palghar received bookings for 5,741 additional buses serving Konkan-bound passengers from September 10 to 13.
The three divisions have only 484 buses available, prompting transfers from Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur, Amravati and Nashik.
The diversion could reduce regular services for students, office-goers and daily commuters in source districts, especially rural areas.
Some buses may remain in Konkan for four to five days or longer to handle return travel after Ganesh visarjan.
- Who
- The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, along with passengers and regular commuters across Maharashtra.
- What
- MSRTC is diverting 2,011 buses to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region for additional Ganeshotsav services to Konkan.
- When
- The additional services are scheduled mainly from September 10 to 13; buses may remain away for four to five days or longer.
- Where
- Buses are being moved to Mumbai, Thane and Palghar from several Maharashtra regions for Konkan-bound travel.
- Why
- The diversion is intended to meet heavy festival demand, but it may reduce regular bus services in the districts supplying the vehicles.
Festival Travel Priority
Regular Commuter Concerns
Allocating buses for Ganeshotsav
Festival Travel Priority
MSRTC is adding services to manage the massive Konkan-bound festival rush and ease travel pressure on Mumbai, Thane and Palghar passengers.
Regular Commuter Concerns
Moving buses from other divisions could leave those areas with fewer regular services and cancelled trips.
Impact on passengers
Festival Travel Priority
The additional operations provide transport for passengers who have booked festival travel, including the return rush after Ganesh visarjan.
Regular Commuter Concerns
Students, office-goers and daily commuters, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, may have to rely on private operators and face higher fares.
- Buses diverted
- 2,011 buses
- Additional bookings
- 5,741 buses from Mumbai, Thane and Palghar
- Additional service period
- September 10 to 13
- Local buses available
- 484 buses across Mumbai, Thane and Palghar divisions
- Highest service date
- September 12, with 3,404 trips
- Other high-service date
- September 11, with 2,047 trips
- Potential diversion duration
- Four to five days or longer