Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Maharashtra Clears ₹12.68 Crore Purchase of 44 VIP Vehicles
Maharashtra has approved spending about ₹12.68 crore on 44 vehicles for transporting important visitors.
The vehicles include an armoured Toyota Land Cruiser and several other cars, SUVs, a towing vehicle and a bus.
The government says some vehicles already in use are too old, broken or uncomfortable.
The vehicles will serve Mumbai and district collectorates.
They are to be purchased through the Government e-Marketplace portal.
The approval was issued in a resolution dated October 9.
Parts of Maharashtra are facing drought, and farmers have been asking for help.
Congress leader Sachin Sawant said the purchase shows poor priorities while people are facing hardship.
Maharashtra approved 44 vehicles costing ₹12,68,64,342 for transport arrangements for visiting dignitaries.
The fleet includes an armoured Toyota Land Cruiser 300 priced at ₹4.07 crore, along with Innova Crystas, Fortuners, Ertigas, a towing vehicle and a bus.
The Protocol Department’s resolution, dated October 9, says 10 vehicles are for Mumbai and 34 for district collectorates in the first phase.
The government cited vehicles that were unserviceable, beyond their service life or deteriorated, as well as complaints about old and uncomfortable vehicles.
Congress leader Sachin Sawant criticised the spending amid drought and farmers’ requests for assistance, while the government’s stated rationale is to replace vehicles and support dignitary transport.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government’s Protocol Department approved the purchase; Congress leader Sachin Sawant criticised it.
- What
- Purchase of 44 vehicles costing ₹12,68,64,342 for transport arrangements for visiting dignitaries.
- When
- The government resolution was dated October 9; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- For the Government Transport Service in Mumbai and district collectorates across Maharashtra.
- Why
- The government cited ageing, unserviceable or deteriorated vehicles and transport needs for dignitaries.
Criticism of spending
Government’s stated rationale
Spending during drought
Criticism of spending
Sachin Sawant said spending crores on VIP vehicles while farmers face drought and seek assistance raises questions about the government’s priorities and sensitivity.
Government’s stated rationale
The government said the purchase is needed because some existing vehicles are unserviceable, beyond their service life or in poor condition, making transport arrangements difficult.
Austerity and VIP comforts
Criticism of spending
Sawant accused the BJP-led Mahayuti government of preaching austerity to the public while spending on VIP comforts, and described this as hypocritical.
Government’s stated rationale
The government’s resolution presents the purchase as a replacement and transport requirement for visiting dignitaries; the articles do not report a direct government response to Sawant’s criticism.
- Total vehicles
- 44
- Approved expenditure
- ₹12,68,64,342 (about ₹12.68 crore)
- Armoured vehicle
- Toyota Land Cruiser 300 with NIJ III/B6 protection, priced at ₹4.07 crore
- Fleet composition
- 32 Toyota Innova Crystas, two Toyota Fortuners, one armoured Toyota Land Cruiser 300, seven Maruti Suzuki Ertigas, one Tata 207 Yodha towing vehicle and one Force Urbania bus
- Allocation in first phase
- 10 vehicles for Mumbai and 34 for district collectorates
- Procurement method
- Single-source procurement through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal
- Existing approved fleet
- 64 vehicles for Mumbai and 225 for districts outside Mumbai and Mumbai Suburban
- Government-stated reason
- Some existing vehicles were unserviceable, past their prescribed service life or deteriorated; complaints were also received about old and uncomfortable vehicles.
