4,500 PMPML buses broke down in a month

Prashant Inamdar,convener of Pedestrians First,begs to differ. “A breakdown is a breakdown. When a bus is taken to the depot,it translates into wastage of time and loss of revenue. This is a serious situation and requires stern action,” he said.

Conceding that there was a problem,R N Joshi,chairman and managing director of PMPML,said,“Last month,we faced problems in procuring spare parts and other items from two companies,which affected repair work. The problem has been sorted out after two meetings with officials from the companies.” Joshi said he met depot managers recently and directed them to find out the cause of breakdowns. “I told chief engineer Sunil Burse and executive engineers to visit the depots and monitor the activities… I hope things will improve soon,” he added.

Joint managing director Satish Kulkarni said the number of breakdowns was high and a serious matter. “We are trying to get to the root of the problem,” he said.

On the police penalty against failed buses,Joshi said,“We have crane to tow away stranded buses. On Saturday,traffic PI Vijay Palsule said they would impose a fine of Rs 1,000 fine for each breakdown. The next time,the fine will go up to Rs 2,000,” he said.

The directorial board is furious. Pune mayor Mohan Rajpal Singh,who is one of the directors,said,“Little wonder then that commuters feel shortchanged. If the management is not addressing the situation,it has no business to be there.”

Ajit Apte,another director,said,“PMPML officials are accountable for this. They should explain what is wrong with the buses. Is it because of fake parts or untrained personnel ?” He,however,said the directors should not be blamed as they meet only once in three months to decide about policy matters.

PCMC commissioner Asheesh Sharma,also a director,said,“Please take up with the matter with the CMD.”

City MLAs too sounded worried. “After it became a company,there has been no control over its functioning. We will take up the matter with the state government,” said BJP MLA Girish Bapat.

Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe said,“I will take up the matter with the chief minister.”

Congress MLC Mohan Joshi said,“I will seek written explanation from the PMPML.”