Pune: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has resumed its interstate operations, with buses running between Pune and some cities in Karnataka as well as to and from Hyderabad.
“The interstate bus movement has started and we are closely monitoring travel regulations and restrictions. For now, bus services have resumed from Pune to places like Bidar, Bijapur and Ganagapura in Karnataka and to Hyderabad in Telangana, ”an official from the Pune division of the transport organization told TOI. public.
The official said around 13 buses are currently operating in both directions. “With relaxations happening in many states, travel regulations have loosened. However, whatever regulations are in force, they must be observed and checks are carried out at state borders, ”the official said.
The MSRTC had stopped its services in April this year after new restrictions took effect due to the second wave of the pandemic.
Officials said based on the easing of travel restrictions, the buses would serve other states neighboring Maharashtra. “If all goes well, we will start the service from Pune to Panaji from July. In addition, buses to Indore in Madhya Pradesh and Surat and Vadodara in Gujarat would be started. The number of buses to operate would depend on reservations, ”added the manager.
According to the rules in force, to come to Maharashtra by any mode of transport, a negative RT-PCR report not older than 48 hours is required. Karnataka relaxed restrictions and interstate travel was allowed without the report.
Goa requires a negative RT-PCR report less than 72 hours old.
Passengers traveling to Indore and Bhopal from the state need a negative RT-PCR report that is less than 48 hours old.