What is Shivneri Sundari?
In a statement released by MSRTC, The ‘Shivneri Sundari’ initiative is designed to improve passenger experience on the busy 200-km route, one of the busiest in the state. These assistants will assist passengers throughout the trip with basic medical assistance, answering travel-related queries and distributing water, newspapers, magazines, etc.
While no food will be served on board, ‘Shivneri Sundari’ attendants will ensure that the bus remains clean and comfortable for passengers. They will monitor the air conditioning and keep an eye out for any technical issues, reporting them to the driver and MSRTC officials. Attendees will be located in the front row of the bus, with a small cabinet to store necessary supplies.
MSRTC He said this initiative will not affect ticket prices. Known for their efficient point-to-point service, e-Shivneri buses typically operate with a single driver on board, while tickets are issued at designated stops along the route.
Opposition reaction
Activists have raised concerns about the safety of female flight attendants, who will be in close contact with male passengers in the bus’ narrow aisles. They also questioned the working hours of these hostesses and whether MSRTC depots have adequate waiting rooms and toilets for them.
Opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar criticized the government saying the condition of MSRTC buses and bus stations across the state were “pathetic.”
“There are no clean toilets for women at bus stations. But instead of resolving these issues, the government appoints Shivneri Sundaris. “This is a directionless government led by directionless leaders,” he said, as reported by The Print.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized the initiative as “highly perverted and misogynistic”.
“Goan table dancers who were high on khoke and gaddari came up with this highly perverted and misogynistic idea of ’Shivneri Sundaris’ that will ‘serve’ the passengers traveling in Shivneri buses between Mumbai and Pune and ‘improve the passenger travel experience,’” he wrote in X.
Goan table dancers who were high on khoke and gaddari came up with this highly perverted and misogynistic idea of ’Shivneri Sundaris’ that will ‘serve’ the passengers traveling in Shivneri buses between Mumbai and Pune and to ‘improve the passenger travel experience’. pic.twitter.com/8K7tVXwR9p
— Priyanka Chaturvedi??????? (@priyankac19) October 2, 2024
Rohit Pawar, CPN (SP) MLA from Karjat-Jamkhed constituency, termed the move as “irrational and capricious policies” of the government.
“Today, when there is a need to emphasize on improving the condition of STs in the state like leaking STs, flying letter STs, broken window STs and also improving their lives by providing infrastructure to ST employees, to ST passengers, to the newly appointed The chairman of ST Corporation is bringing plans like Shivneri Sundari,” he wrote in X.
More information: आज राज I speak भूत सुविधा देऊन … https://t.co/t12nSat3Z4 pic.twitter.com/PHn3sd4cwx
—Rohit Pawar (@RRPSpeaks) October 2, 2024
Urban transport planner Bhaumik Gowande called the initiative “unbelievable and regressive” in a post on I have made over 500 trips, there is absolutely NO need for this.”
“Will MahaGov ensure the safety of air hostesses on buses?” asked.
What Shiv Sena said
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat defended the decision and said the opposition was criticizing the initiative “for no reason”. “We are investing in new buses and improving the ST Corporation. If women get jobs, what harm is there?” he said, according to India Today.
Public reaction
One user wrote on X: “What MSRTC needs: better bus stations, better buses, better working conditions for staff, better salaries.
What the government gives: Shivneri Sundari.”
Another wrote: “Shivneri Sundari. “I trust this country to always come up with some creepy weird man, plus the buses are full, I don’t trust shameless Indian men to behave honestly.”
“I’d rather have enough good public buses running on time, rather than have a stewardess welcome me on board,” one comment read.
“Can MahaGov first provide good and pothole-free roads? And safety for female travelers? And clean, safe bathrooms along the way? someone else asked.
Can MahaGov first provide good and pothole free roads? And safety for female travelers? And clean, safe bathrooms along the way?
– everything that matters (@nmyg) October 2, 2024
Meanwhile, the MSRTC board has approved the purchase of 2,500 new buses and has already started the bidding process.
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