First ‘controversial’ bus arrives today

The PMPML administration said these buses will immediately become operational and there is a plan to ply these buses on new routes as well as on congested routes. “Since PMPML is falling short of buses,these buses will prove helpful and the next lot of buses will be coming in steadily from now onwards,” said a PMPML official.

The purchase of 650 public transport buses under JNNURM had come under the scanner after civic activists had taken strong objection to buy 200 AC buses and rope in private players in the process. Divisional Commissioner Dilip Band and Secretary to Chief Minister Nitin Kareer had also drawn flak for their alleged participation in the bus purchase and directing the PMPML officials by attending the meetings. However,the board of directors of the PMPML last week approved a proposal to buy these buses,which will be owned by PMPML and not by any private operator.

Meanwhile,the civic standing committee on Tuesday approved to hand over Rs 30 crore to Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) as an outstanding amount of the PMPML employees’ salary. Following the approval,there was celebration at the PMPML office at Swargate.