Free ac bus travel for accredited journos gets Maha transport

Maharashtra Transport Minister Diwakar Raote today cleared a proposal allowing accredited journalists to travel in air-conditioned andluxury buses being operated by state transport corporation free of cost.

Implementation of the decision is subject to the approval by the state Cabinet, the minister said after chairing a meeting in this regard.

If cleared by Cabinet, journalists will be able to travel in "Shivneri" and "Shiv Shahi" busesfree of cost.

"Shivneri" buses are air-conditioned buses plying between main cities of the state, whereas "Shiv Shahi" buses are semi-luxury buses connecting smaller cities.

At present, accredited journalists can avail free travel in non-AC buses run by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC).

Organisations of jouralists have been demanding that the free-of-cost travelling facility be extended to air-conditioned and semi-luxary buses as well.

"The MSRTC is positive aboutproviding free bus travel facility to journalists in all modern and luxary buses. Directorate general of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR) has been asked to provide the total number of accredited journalists in the stateand likely expenditure to be incured by the transport department. After obtaining this information, the proposal would be then placed before the Cabinet," the minister said.