Mumbai/Pune, March 23 — The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has dismissed a bus driver for allegedly watching a cricket match on his mobile phone while driving on the Mumbai-Pune route.
The incident, which occurred on the e-Shivneri bus on March 22, came to light after a passenger recorded a video of the driver watching the match at the wheel. The clip was sent to state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and also posted on social media, tagging ministers and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Sarnaik promptly directed senior MSRTC officials to take strict action. “E-Shivneri is a key service on the Mumbai-Pune route. Several people travel by this bus. The service is known for being accident-free. It is necessary to take strict action against drivers who operate vehicles recklessly and endanger passengers,” he said.
Following the directive, local officials dismissed the driver, who was employed by a private bus operator, for compromising passenger safety. The transport authority also imposed a ₹5,000 fine on the private company responsible for the service.
Sarnaik mentioned that complaints have surfaced about auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers watching matches or movies on their phones, sometimes with earphones on. “The transport department will soon introduce new regulations against such practices,” he added, stressing the need for regular training of drivers employed by private operators under MSRTC.
