This year, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has arranged 5,200 additional buses for passengers planning to travel for Ganesotsav between August 23 and September 7, an official statement had earlier said

Maharashtra transport minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik had last week said that 5,103 special buses, including 4,479 group reservation buses, have already been fully booked for the Ganpati festival

He announced that senior citizens under the `Amrut Yojana` will receive 100 per cent fare concession, while other senior citizens and women passengers will receive 50 per cent fare discount under the group reservation scheme

Extra staff and help desks have also been deployed at key bus stations to assist passengers and manage the crowd

"Ganeshotsav holds deep emotional significance for Konkanites living in Mumbai," Sarnaik said last week

An official statement from the MSRTC had said that starting Sunday, the special buses will depart from major bus depots in Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar to various destinations across the Konkan region, offering direct connectivity right up to villages and hamlets — a service uniquely provided by MSRTC