PMPML buses break down with alarming frequency

In the preceding two years — 2011 and 2012 — the collective figure of breakdowns was pegged at a staggering 20,000. Every month,800 to 900 buses are breaking down on city roads that are already clogged with traffic throughout the day. And if a bus breaks down during the morning hours,more than 50 passengers are affected,some of whom are office-goers while others students. All of them are usually in a tearing hurry to reach their destination.

Apart from passengers,the tailing traffic takes a big hit. And this point has raised the hackles of the city police.

Joint Commissioner of Police Sanjeev Singhal said,“Breakdown of buses causes traffic jams,especially on a busy road like the University Road,it causes untold miseries to the commuters.”

Apart from traffic jams,Singhal said,breakdown of a bus could also cause a major accident. He cited a recent case during the palkhi procession,when a bus broke down on Senapati Bapat Road. “It could have resulted in an accident. But thanks to the driver’s presence of mind,a tragedy was averted,” he said,adding that PMPML officials have promised to do everything in their capacity to reduce breakdown of buses as far as possible.

These breakdowns are generally attributed to mechanical failure. Tyre punctures are another major cause for breakdowns. Of the 800 to 900 buses breaking down every month,around 150 are due to flat tyres.

Meanwhile,PMPML Chief Engineer Sunil Burse continues to harp on old themes,when he says. “We lack finances to purchase spare parts in time. We don’t have adequate infrastructure to park our buses,resulting in spare parts being stolen. Manpower shortage is also a very big problem for us.” Apart from these issues,Burse pointed out that overloading of buses also causes tyre punctures during busy office hours.

PMPML spokesperson Deepak Pardeshi said the transport service also lacks funds to purchase new buses. “Old buses with old parts operate and often break down,” he said.

Civic activists,however,call PMPML excuses a fall-out of unprofessional functioning. “PMPML officials are unable to handle the problem. If a man keeps falling ill,it is clear that something is seriously wrong with him and that he might need surgery or strong medication. Similarly,PMPML buses have been breaking down frequently in the past three to four years. The figures keep increasing by the day. The system needs complete overhauling. There is a big question mark over the maintenance aspect as well,” Prashant Inamdar of Pedestrians’ First,an organisation that takes up transport issues,said.

Inamdar added,“Quality of spare parts and tyres needs a closer look. This has not been the case with PMPML.”