MSRTC Digital Ad Scam: ₹9.61 Crore Dues To Be Recovered, Guilty Firm To Be Blacklisted, Says Pratap Sarnaik
MSRTC Digital Ad Scam: ₹9.61 Crore Dues To Be Recovered, Guilty Firm To Be Blacklisted, Says Pratap Sarnaik
A significant financial irregularity has surfaced involving digital advertising contracts issued on Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) premises. The issue was highlighted in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly by Chinchwad MLA Shankar Jagtap, who pointed to alleged lapses in a contract awarded to a private firm.
In response, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik assured the House that strict action will be taken against the agency responsible, including recovering the outstanding dues and blacklisting the company involved.
🗓 १ जुलै २०२५ |📍विधान भवन
— Pratap Baburao Sarnaik (@PratapSarnaik) July 1, 2025
महाराष्ट्र परिवहन महामंडळाच्या अंतर्गत बसवरील जाहिरात, बस स्थानकावरील जाहिरात फलक आणि डिजिटल तसेच बसच्या मागच्या जाहिरातीबाबत विचारलेल्या प्रश्नांबाबत सविस्तर माहिती सभागृहासमोर मांडली. #PratapSarnaik #TransportMinister #पावसाळीअधिवेशन२०२५… pic.twitter.com/qrhuEEe8mn
The agreement in question was with Techsiddhi Advert Pvt Ltd, which was granted rights from March 23, 2024, to February 22, 2029, to display digital ads on MSRTC property. The firm had committed to an annual license fee of ₹12.22 crore, excluding GST. However, between May and December 2024, the company reportedly failed to pay any of the monthly rental dues, resulting in an outstanding amount of ₹9.61 crore.
Minister Sarnaik confirmed that the contract has been terminated and recovery proceedings, including interest, are underway. He also mentioned that failure to repay the dues will result in forfeiture of the security deposit and permanent blacklisting of the company.
Referring to the recent Ghatkopar hoarding collapse, the minister said the government has tightened regulations and mandated structural audits for all advertising installations. Several permissions were denied due to non-compliance with safety norms. Despite pandemic-related industry setbacks, Sarnaik noted that the company neither cleared dues nor submitted any justification.
The case has raised wider concerns over MSRTC’s contract monitoring and transparency. The minister emphasized that a thorough review is in progress and appropriate action will be taken promptly.
