• MSRTC’s fleet conversion to non-AC Hirkanis in the final phase 
• Commuters bear the brunt of soaring temperatures; express displeasure 

 

At a time when Nagpur is reeling under intensifying summer heat, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has begun phasing out its air-conditioned Shivshahi buses in the division. The Shivshahi buses have been replaced with non-AC Hirkani buses leaving commuters struggling in sweltering heat. The move, part of a statewide exercise launched in July last year, comes even as temperatures in the region steadily climb, making air-conditioned travel less a luxury and more a necessity for many daily passengers. With the gradual disappearance of Shivshahi services, and the snail-paced procurement of new electric buses, commuters now face long journeys in overcrowded, non-AC buses, particularly during harsh afternoon hours. 

 

As informed to The Hitavada by a senior official in MSRTC, a total of 35 Shivshahi buses operated in Nagpur division. Of these, eight have been transferred to Wardha, while 15 out of the remaining 27 have already been converted into Hirkani buses. The remaining 14 are set to be converted within the next month. Officials stated that buses are taken up for conversion after completing 8 lakh kilometres of service. Introduced in 2017, Shivshahi buses were once seen as a comfortable and affordable AC travel option. However, frequent breakdowns and rising maintenance costs reduced their efficiency over time. The 2024 Bhandara accident, in which more than 11 passengers lost their lives and 34 were injured, further accelerated the decision to phase out the fleet.

 

While MSRTC maintains that Hirkani buses are more reliable and economical, the timing of the transition has drawn criticism. Suraj Gundkar, a frequent commuter, expressed displeasure with the process. He said that, “I used to travel in Shivshahi as the ticket fare was affordable and the air-conditioner gave comfort in summer. Now there are fewer AC buses on my route and the buses are always packed.” Malini Gawande, another commuter who also travels frequently in AC buses, said that, “The shortage of AC buses will cause more problems now as the summer has just started. I do not want to get a heat-stroke.”

 

The conversion of Shivshahi buses into Hirkani models is being currently undertaken at the Central Workshop Dapodi in Pune due to structural changes within MSRTC. Earlier, Nagpur and Aurangabad divisions had dedicated bus body-building workshops. These have now shut down as MSRTC has shifted to procuring fully-built buses from manufacturers like Tata and Ashok Leyland. Workers from these units have been reassigned to divisional workshops for maintenance and mechanical operations.