Maharashtra: MSRTC To Equip 5,300 New ST Buses With Breath Analysers To Prevent Drunk Driving
Mumbai, October 8, 2026: Drivers of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses will have to clear an alcohol test before they can take their vehicles out of a depot. The corporation is making breath analysers mandatory in around 5,300 new buses, with the system designed to automatically lock the bus starter if the driver’s alcohol level is above the permissible limit. System To…
In October 2026, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) announced plans to equip around 5,300 new buses with breath analysers to prevent drunk driving. The move aims to address complaints of drivers consuming alcohol while operating buses, particularly on night services and long-distance routes. Inappropriate behavior with passengers, missing designated stops, and excessive time spent at authorized hotel halts were among the issues raised.
The new system will ensure that drivers who have consumed alcohol are stopped before the bus leaves the depot. Drivers will be required to blow into a breath analyser before starting the bus, and if the alcohol content exceeds the prescribed limit, the starter will not function, effectively keeping the bus off the road. The breath analyser system will be installed in all new buses being inducted into MSRTC's fleet, with around 3,000 buses being manufactured by Tata Motors and the remaining by Ashok Leyland and Volvo.
The corporation has included long-term maintenance responsibilities in the procurement contracts, with Tata and Ashok Leyland maintaining their buses for seven years and Volvo for 12 years. The first batch of these buses is expected to enter passenger service in January 2027.
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