India, Dec. 22 -- Passengers booking tickets for the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation's (MSRTC) premium Shivshahi bus service on Pune to Kolhapur and Pune to Belagavi routes are facing severe inconvenience for the past many months. Several such passengers allege that despite paying higher fares for Shivshahi buses, they are forced to complete part or the entire journey in ordinary MSRTC buses, causing discomfort and dissatisfaction.

According to passengers, this practice is particularly frequent after crossing the Katraj ghat stretch. From locations such as Shirwal, Shivshahi bus ticket holders are allegedly diverted to regular buses without any prior intimation. With Shivshahi buses billed as comfortable and air-conditioned ...