Bus driver dismissed for watching cricket while driving

On March 22, a driver for the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) was fired for watching a cricket match on his phone while driving. This incident occurred on the busy Mumbai-Pune route and was recorded by a passenger, who later shared the video with transport officials and on social media. In response, state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik directed MSRTC to take strict action. The driver was dismissed, and the private company operating the bus was fined ₹5,000 for risking passenger safety. On the same day, there was another report of an MSRTC driver talking on the phone while driving. A passenger named Nitin Godbole raised this issue on social media, which caught the attention of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The CM confirmed that the driver was suspended and a police report is being filed. Minister Sarnaik highlighted the importance of stricter enforcement of road safety rules. He noted a rise in complaints about drivers of various transport services using phones while driving. New regulations are being developed to prevent such dangerous behavior. Sarnaik emphasized that maintaining safety on the Mumbai-Pune route is vital, as it is known for being accident-free. He also mentioned that regular training for drivers of private companies is necessary. The government plans to announce these new safety regulations soon.