India, March 21 -- The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has, for the first time, decided to procure diesel via tendering rather than placing bulk orders directly with oil companies to tide over the crisis in crude oil supplies due to the ongoing war in West Asia, officials familiar with the matter told Hindustan Times.

The move will not only ensure a fixed quantum of diesel for the state transport utility amid the fuel crisis but also result in annual savings worth Rs.244 crore, officials said.

"The decision to procure diesel via tendering was taken in light of the ongoing war," a senior MSRTC official told HT, requesting not to be identified. "The tendering process has already been started and the call for bids is l...