Pune: 293 Seized Vehicles Lying Idle at ST Depots; Space Crunch Hampers Pune Bus Services

Pune, 24th July 2025: Public bus services in Pune district are struggling to operate efficiently due to 293 seized private vehicles lying idle for months in Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) depots. These abandoned vehicles, many of which were confiscated by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) for traffic violations or accidents, are occupying valuable space crucial for bus parking and movement.

Despite being slated for auction or scrapping, delays in legal processing have left these vehicles gathering dust and blocking essential depot infrastructure.

After a disturbing incident involving a woman inside a stationary bus at the Swargate depot, State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik had issued urgent directives to dispose of such vehicles through public auction or scrappage. The matter was even addressed during the Monsoon Session of the Maharashtra Legislature.

However, MSRTC sources confirm that implementation has lagged, with no visible progress in removing the seized fleet.

Officials report that the cluttered depot spaces are making it difficult to park and schedule buses effectively, resulting in frequent delays and commuter inconvenience. Misaligned buses and constrained maneuvering space have led to operational challenges at multiple key bus stands.

RTO officials noted that the seized vehicles, which include private buses, trucks, and goods carriers, are kept in ST depots temporarily because the department lacks dedicated storage facilities. Often, vehicle owners neglect to claim them due to unpaid fines or vehicle damage, further complicating the issue.

Depot-Wise Vehicle Breakdown
-Baramati Depot – 107 vehicles (highest count)
-Saswad Depot – 38 vehicles
-Dapodi Workshop – 30 vehicles
-Indapur Depot – 30 vehicles
-Daund Depot – 26 vehicles
-Rajgurunagar Depot – 19 vehicles
-Shirur Depot – 17 vehicles
-Other Depots Combined – 26 vehicles

These vehicles are primarily private transport carriers, now rusting on government property.

According to Deputy Regional Transport Officer Swapnil Bhosale, “Due to a lack of RTO parking facilities, we’ve had to keep seized vehicles at MSRTC depots temporarily. Legal notices have been issued to owners. If penalties remain unpaid, the vehicles will be sold via auction.”