Overview

• A driver on the e-Shivneri bus service was dismissed for watching a cricket match on his mobile phone while driving on the Mumbai-Pune route.
• The incident, recorded by a passenger on March 22, led to immediate action by Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik after the video was sent to him.
• The private operator responsible for the bus was fined ₹5,000 under the wet lease contract with MSRTC.
• The e-Shivneri service, known for its safety record, is a premium offering catering to business travelers, raising concerns about maintaining safety standards.
• The Maharashtra transport department is preparing new regulations to prevent mobile phone use by drivers across public transport systems, including taxis and auto-rickshaws.