The Maharashtra government on Friday, 9 October 2026, issued administrative approval to procure 44 high-end vehicles worth ₹12.68 crore for visiting dignitaries and VIPs — even as the state simultaneously seeks Central financial assistance to battle drought-like conditions across 265 talukas. The fleet includes a bulletproof Toyota Land Cruiser priced at ₹4.07 crore, making it the single most expensive vehicle in the approved list.

What the Fleet Expansion Covers

According to the Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Protocol Department, the new acquisitions will replace ageing vehicles used to ferry the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers of other states, and senior judiciary officials including Supreme Court and High Court judges. The protocol branch manages all high-level state guest logistics.

The approved vehicle breakdown is as follows: one bulletproof Toyota Land Cruiser at ₹4,07,68,000; two Toyota Fortuners at ₹30,00,000 each; one Urbania bus at ₹31,00,000; 32 Toyota Innova Crystas at ₹20,71,453 each; seven Maruti Ertigas at ₹11,59,100 each; and one towing vehicle at government-approved rates. The total sanctioned budget is ₹12,68,64,342.

Procurement Route and Oversight

All 44 vehicles will be sourced through a single-source basis via the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal, in compliance with state financial and procurement regulations. Funds will flow through the Government Transport Service (GTS), Mumbai, and district collectorate protocol wings. The official order mandates that all purchases remain within the sanctioned ceiling.

The Drought Context

The timing has drawn scrutiny. Maharashtra is currently grappling with drought-like conditions across 265 talukas, and the state government is conducting panchnamas (field assessments) ahead of finalising a financial relief package for farmers and rural communities. The Centre has been approached for emergency assistance.

In parallel, the state has rolled out a 12-point relief package, which includes a full waiver of land revenue for affected farmers, restructuring of existing agricultural loans, an immediate stay on recovery of all agriculture-related bank loans, and exemption or concessions on current electricity bills for agricultural pumps above 7.5 HP capacity. Pumps up to 7.5 HP are already covered under an existing waiver.

Relief Measures Already in Motion

Other relief steps include waiver of examination fees for school and college students in affected zones, relaxation of work-norm criteria under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to maximise employment generation, and deployment of water tankers wherever drinking water shortages occur. The government has also issued strict orders banning disconnection of agricultural pump power in declared scarcity villages.

Additional measures cover targeted foodgrain distribution to prevent shortages for farmers and daily-wage agricultural workers, ensuring adequate fodder supply for cattle, immediate rollout of water conservation works in affected belts, and comprehensive planning for drinking and livestock water resources. A final financial relief quantum is expected once the panchnama process concludes.