Mumbai: ST to Launch Special Religious Tours During Shravan; Private Operators Urged to Join

Mumbai, 17th June 2025: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will run special religious tour services during the holy month of Shravan, Transport Minister and ST Corporation Chairman Pratap Sarnaik announced on Monday.

These tours will include popular routes like Ashtavinayak Darshan, Tuljapur-Pandharpur-Akkalkot Darshan, Jyotirlinga Darshan, and Trimbakeshwar-Nashik Darshan. The aim is to provide affordable religious tourism options to the general public, with low-cost accommodation and food arrangements.

Sarnaik appealed to private tour and travel companies across the state to partner with MSRTC in organizing these trips. The announcement was made at a meeting held at ST Corporation headquarters, attended by department heads and private travel operators.

“Many people cannot afford expensive pilgrimage packages. If private travel companies collaborate with ST to offer tours on less crowded days, it will benefit both the corporation and citizens,” Sarnaik said. He added that during lean travel periods, such as holidays, ST buses run with low passenger loads, resulting in revenue loss. Religious tours during these times can help boost income while making pilgrimage more accessible.

The state will also provide free toilets and accommodation facilities for pilgrims, following the model used in Pandharpur. Sarnaik has directed the ST administration to begin implementing the initiative from the start of Shravan.

Travel companies were encouraged to organize trips based on demand, ensuring maximum reach and benefit for devotees.

The initiative is expected to not only strengthen ST’s revenue but also promote religious tourism in Maharashtra by offering cost-effective and well-managed travel options to pilgrims.