India, Sept. 29 -- The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will add 100 'Punyashlok Ahilyadevi' midi buses (28-seater) to its fleet to extend public transport services to remote, hilly and tribal areas where conventional large buses often find it difficult to operate.

The move aims to connect residents of remote hamlets, tribal settlements and villages, as well as school and college students, with education, healthcare, employment opportunities and essential services.

Pratap Sarnaik, transport minister and MSRTC chairman, said the objective was to ensure that public transport reaches the state's last-mile settlements.

"Public transport cannot be measured only through the profit-and-loss balance sheet; it is also a resp...