‘Buying CNG buses on deferred payment basis will cripple PMPML for life’

Activist Jugal Rathi of PMP Pravasi Manch has opposed the idea of purchasing new CNG buses on deferred payment basis,saying such a purchase will keep the transport body “crippled for life”.

“PMPML is not in a position to meet the operational expenses,including the salaries and fuel expenditure. It will never have funds to bear the interest and installment burden. And at finally the burden will be passed on to the commuters with repeated and steep fare hikes. The recent fare hikes have reduced the passenger count of PMPML buses by more than 2 lakhs,” said Rathi.

He said workable alternatives were available to the transport body.

“The cost of 500 buses at Rs 25 lakh each will be Rs 125 crore. This should be paid by PMC (Rs 75 crore) and PCMC (Rs 50 crore). This amount is only 2 per cent of the PMC and the PCMC’s annual budgets. Moreover,Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has already directed both corporations to make 2 per cent provision for PMPML in their annual budgets,” said Rathi.

He added: “Efforts should be made to muster contributions from beneficiary local bodies,the Zilla Parishad and cantonment boards.”