Sarnaik, who took charge of the ministry on Tuesday at the Mantralaya in south Mumbai, shared his vision of transforming the state's transport systems into profitable and efficient enterprises.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, he emphasized the need for prioritizing both road and air transport to position Maharashtra as a leader in these sectors.
As part of his initial proposals, Sarnaik aims to implement several people-friendly initiatives, including travel concessions for senior citizens and women.
Interacted with the media at Mantralaya and shared details about the significant decisions taken today regarding the Transport Department of Maharashtra.#Pratapsarnaik #shivsena #transportminister #mantralay pic.twitter.com/YT45P0u8oF
— Pratap Baburao Sarnaik (@PratapSarnaik) December 24, 2024
Among the most ambitious is his plan to launch 15-16-seater cable vehicles in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), modeled after Bangalore's ropeway transport system.
"The Bangalore model will be studied, and a detailed project report will be prepared and submitted to Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari for approval," Sarnaik said.
In addition to the cable vehicle system, the minister outlined plans to modernize Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus depots, taking inspiration from similar facilities in Gujarat.
Sarnaik also praised Karnataka’s advanced passenger services, expressing intent to adopt successful practices from other states.
Efforts to enhance air transport services are also on the agenda, with the goal of establishing Maharashtra as the top state in the sector.
Sarnaik pledged to implement these initiatives in phases and take tough decisions to streamline MSRTC operations. "This is my vision for giving a new identity to Maharashtra's transport systems," he said.