GSRTC to pay staff half-month advance salary ahead of Diwali, 101 new buses launched
Synopsis
Gujarat's Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi used a 101-bus fleet launch in Gandhinagar to announce a Diwali advance salary for all GSRTC staff — and then handed the flagging-off honours to the drivers and conductors themselves, in a symbolic break from protocol that underscored the workforce-first messaging of the event.
Key Takeaways
GSRTC will pay employees half a month's salary in advance ahead of Diwali , as announced by Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi on 6 November 2026 .
101 new buses were inaugurated at Gandhinagar to bolster festive-season public transport across Gujarat .
In an unusual move, Sanghavi invited GSRTC drivers, conductors, and workshop staff to jointly flag off all 101 buses.
The new fleet aims to strengthen rural-urban connectivity and ease the Diwali travel surge.
Senior officials including GSRTC MD Dr Rajender Kumar and Transport Secretary Hareet Shukla attended the event.
The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) will disburse half a month's salary in advance to its employees ahead of Diwali, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi announced on Friday, 6 November 2026, during the inauguration of 101 new buses at Gandhinagar. The dual announcement — advance pay and fleet expansion — signals the state government's efforts to both reward its transport workforce and bolster public mobility during the festive rush.
The Advance Salary Announcement
Sanghavi made the salary announcement as part of the Diwali-related programme, recognising the contribution of GSRTC drivers, conductors, workshop staff, and other employees who keep Gujarat's public transport network operational. He also extended Diwali and New Year greetings to employees and their families. Minister of State for Transport Pravin Mali was also present at the event.
101 New Buses Flagged Off
In a departure from standard protocol, Sanghavi invited GSRTC employees — drivers, conductors, and workshop staff — to jointly participate in flagging off all 101 buses, rather than conducting the exercise himself. The gesture was widely seen as a symbolic acknowledgement of the workforce's role in running the corporation. Before the inauguration, Sanghavi personally interacted with frontline staff, acknowledging their day-to-day contributions.
Impact on Passenger Services
The induction of the 101 new buses is intended to ease the surge in passenger movement typically seen during the Diwali festive period. The expanded fleet is expected to strengthen connectivity between rural and urban areas across Gujarat, providing safer and more comfortable travel options. Public transport services traditionally witness heightened demand during major festivals, putting pressure on existing fleets.
Officials and Dignitaries Present
Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Rupsinh Thakor, District Panchayat President Rajesh Patel, MLAs Alpesh Thakor and Rita Patel, and other local representatives attended the programme. Senior officials including Transport Department Principal Secretary Hareet Shukla, GSRTC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Dr Rajender Kumar, and GSRTC Secretary Ravi Nirmal were also present.
What This Means for GSRTC
The fleet addition and advance salary together reflect a broader state effort to retain and motivate its public sector transport workforce at a time when private mobility options are expanding. This comes amid ongoing pressure on state transport corporations across India to improve service quality and worker welfare simultaneously. How the new buses are deployed across routes — particularly in underserved rural corridors — will determine the real-world impact on commuters in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
But the more telling detail is the symbolic protocol break — letting drivers and conductors flag off the buses instead of the minister. State transport corporations across India are struggling to retain frontline staff against private-sector competition, and welfare signals like these matter more than headline announcements. The real test is whether the 101 new buses are routed meaningfully to underserved corridors rather than reinforcing already-served urban routes. And on the advance salary: unless it is structurally built into future festive cycles with a clear policy backing, it remains a one-time goodwill measure rather than a durable workforce benefit.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is GSRTC paying employees an advance salary before Diwali?
GSRTC will disburse half a month's salary in advance to help employees celebrate the Diwali festival, as announced by Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on 6 November 2026. The move is intended to recognise the contribution of drivers, conductors, and other frontline staff who keep Gujarat's public transport running.
How many new buses did GSRTC launch and where?
GSRTC launched 101 new buses at Gandhinagar on 6 November 2026, during an inauguration event presided over by Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi. The new fleet is intended to handle increased passenger demand during the Diwali festive season.
Who flagged off the 101 new GSRTC buses?
In a departure from standard protocol, Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi invited GSRTC drivers, conductors, and workshop employees to jointly flag off all 101 buses rather than doing so himself. The gesture was a symbolic acknowledgement of the workforce's role in running the corporation.
How will the new GSRTC buses benefit passengers?
The 101 new buses are expected to ease the festive-season surge in travel, strengthen connectivity between rural and urban areas across Gujarat, and offer passengers safer and more comfortable journeys. Public transport demand typically spikes around Diwali, putting strain on existing fleets.
Who attended the GSRTC bus inauguration in Gandhinagar?
The event was attended by Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi, Minister of State for Transport Pravin Mali, Gandhinagar Mayor Rupsinh Thakor, District Panchayat President Rajesh Patel, MLAs Alpesh Thakor and Rita Patel, Transport Secretary Hareet Shukla, and GSRTC MD Dr Rajender Kumar, among other officials and local representatives.
