Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Maharashtra Clears Tender for 5,000 New Lalpari Buses
Maharashtra’s state bus company plans to buy 5,000 new buses.
These buses are called Lalpari buses.
Tata Motors offered the lowest bid in the tender process.
Many of the company’s current buses are 12 to 14 years old.
More than 5,000 older buses may need to be retired or scrapped soon.
Officials expect the new buses to reduce breakdowns and canceled trips.
They also hope to improve bus services for people in rural areas.
The company wants to provide buses on routes where enough people need them.
It also plans to move toward more electric buses later.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation has completed its tender for 5,000 new Lalpari buses.
Tata Motors emerged as the lowest bidder, while Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said bus quality would not be compromised.
More than 5,000 existing buses are expected to become due for retirement and scrapping within six months.
MSRTC has already inducted about 2,640 new buses and is preparing to introduce 3,000 Rajmata Jijau buses.
The new fleet is intended to reduce breakdowns, expand rural services and support a proposed bus-on-demand model.
- Who
- The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and Tata Motors.
- What
- MSRTC completed the tender process to procure 5,000 new Lalpari buses.
- When
- The tender completion was announced on Sunday; more than 5,000 buses are expected to become due for retirement within the next six months.
- Where
- Maharashtra, especially rural and semi-urban areas.
- Why
- To address a bus shortage, replace ageing vehicles, reduce breakdowns and improve service availability.
- Procurement
- 5,000 new Lalpari buses
- Lowest bidder
- Tata Motors
- Ageing fleet
- Many existing buses are 12 to 14 years old
- Expected retirements
- More than 5,000 buses may be due for retirement and scrapping within six months
- Already inducted
- About 2,640 new buses with 2x2 seating
- Additional buses
- 3,000 Rajmata Jijau buses with 3x2 seating are being brought into service
- Future direction
- MSRTC plans to accelerate its shift toward electric buses