Endless wait for lifeline

Further delay in introduction of nearly 600 PMPML buses means irregular, crowded public transport system for commuters every day

Endless wait for lifeline

Further delay in introduction of nearly 600 PMPML buses means irregular, crowded public transport system for commuters every day

The delay in the introduction of approximately 600 Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) buses is likely to add to the commuters' woes. Commuters have to grapple with crowded public transport buses plying at irregular intervals on usual routes. The plan to introduce new routes has gone for a toss because of the delay.

The 650 buses from the Jawaharlal Nehru New Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) were expected to be on the roads by December. So far, about 40 to 50 are plying on the streets of Pune.

New routes
Satish Kulkarni, joint managing director, PMPML, told MiD DAY, "So far, we have 1,466 buses plying on the roads on 336 routes in the city and suburban areas. We had planned to introduce at least 150 new routes with the new buses initially. Unfortunately, the plan has been delayed by a couple of months due to the election code of conduct." Financial decisions cannot be taken during the election period.

According to Kulkarni, the Rs 233 crore-project was supposed to be funded with a 50 per cent share from the Union government, 30 per cent from state government and the remaining 30 per cent from the PMC and PCMC.

Sunil Gawali, traffic manager, PMPML, said, "We need the buses for improving the efficiency on the domestic routes and an additional 822 buses for 150 new routes, especially for the suburban areas." In fact, there is a need to increase the buses on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes. Initially, Swargate to Katraj is one BRT pilot project in the city. "The BRT system needs to be introduced on all highways leading to the city," added Gawali.

No option
Dattatraya Kulkarni, a resident of DSK Vishwa Housing Society at Dhairi, said, "We have no option but to use the services of private operators." Calling the PMPML bus service 'pathetic', Prakash Moghe from Aundh said, "We use our two-wheeler to travel in the absence of an efficient public transport system. We urge our newly-elected MLA to sort out the issue. Priyanka Deshkar said, "We don't get a seat in the morning and evening rush hours."