Survey shows only 17 of 50 PMPML buses equipped with first aid kits

First aid kits on buses along the routes of Katraj to Nigdi, Pune Station to Pimple Saudagar, Akurdi to Pune Corporation, Warje Malwadi to Chikali were found to be empty

Written by: Alister Augustine, Soham Shah

3 min readUpdated: Apr 13, 2025 12:48 AM IST

Buses plying along Pune to Lohegaon, Alandi to PMC and Nigdi Bhakti Shakti to PMX were among some of the routes where first aid kits on buses were well-stocked. (Express File Photo)

First-aid kits, a must have for public transport seem to be missing from the buses of Pune Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML). A survey conducted by The Indian Express found that out of 50 PMPML buses, only 17 were equipped with a first aid kit.

The Indian Express reporters had travelled along various routes across the city. First aid kits on buses along the routes of Katraj to Nigdi, Pune Station to Pimple Saudagar, Akurdi to Pune Corporation, Pune Corporation to Chikali were found to be empty. Buses plying along Pune to Lohegaon, Alandi to PMC and Nigdi Bhakti Shakti to PMC were among some of the routes where first aid kits on buses were well-stocked.

Section 138 (4) (D) of the Central Motors Vehicle Act, 1989 states that first aid kits are mandatory for all transport vehicles. the Act states that “A first-aid kit containing a tube of antiseptic cream containing 0.5% of Centrimide B.P. in a non-greasy base, sterilised dressings, sterilised elastic plaster, waterproof plaster, gauze and elastic bandage for wounds and burns,” must be present.

PMPML joint managing director Nitin Narvekar told The Indian Express, “We are in the process of tendering for first aid kits for all PMPML-owned buses. The kits will be fixed in all buses within a month. We will also inform the hired buses to install them.”

Absence of first aid kits has seen some passengers face difficulties. Pranav Shinde (83) and Sonali Shinde, were injured during an incident while travelling on bus route number 42 from Nigdi to Katraj on March 30. Shinde, 83, said, “We were just sitting on the side in the bus when suddenly the driver pressed the brakes. It all happened so fast. I fell and hurt my legs and scraped my hand. My wife, Sonali, also fell and hit her chin.” The elderly couple said they had to wait till they got down before they could get some medical help. “The buses should have some first aid kits,” they said.

Astha Dalvi, a 21-year-old commuter, said “Last week, I was on a green-coloured bus travelling from MaNaPa to NDA Gate on route 82. A man fell hard on the bus floor when the driver suddenly hit the brakes. He got hurt badly, and it was shocking to see that there was no first aid kit on the bus. We had to stop near a medical shop to get him basic supplies like antiseptic and bandages.”

(With inputs from: Rohan Deshpande, Shayil Singkh, Mimansha Ojha, Riddhi Wadhwani and Sakshi Prabhune)

Soham Shah

Soham Shah is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in Pune. A journalism graduate with a background in fact-checking, he brings a meticulous and research-oriented approach to his current reporting. Professional Background Role: Correspondent coverig education and city affairs in Pune. Specialization: His primary beat is education, but he also maintains a strong focus on civic issues, public health, human rights, and state politics. Key Strength: Soham focuses on data-driven reporting on school and college education, government reports, and public infrastructure. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 work highlights a transition from education-centric reporting to hard-hitting investigative and human-rights stories: 1. Investigations & Governance "Express Impact: Mother's name now a must to download birth certificate from PMC site" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant policy change by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) following his earlier reports on gender inclusivity in administrative documents. "44-Acre Mahar Land Controversy: In June, Pune official sought land eviction at Pawar son firm behest" (Nov 9, 2025): An investigative piece on real estate irregularities involving high-profile political families. 2. Education & Campus Life Faculty crisis at SPPU hits research, admin work: 62% of govt-sanctioned posts vacant, over 75% in many depts (Sept 12, 2025): An investigative piece on professor vacancies at Savitribai Phule Pune University. "Maharashtra’s controversial third language policy: Why National Curriculum Framework recommends a third language from Class 6" (July 2): This detailed piece unpacks reasons behind why the state's move to introduce a third language from class 1 was controversial. "Decline in number of schools, teachers in Maharashtra but student enrolment up: Report" (Jan 2025): Analyzing discrepancies in the state's education data despite rising student numbers. 3. Human Rights & Social Issues "Aanchal Mamidawar was brave after her family killed her boyfriend" (Dec 17, 2025): A deeply personal and hard-hitting opinion piece/column on the "crime of love" and honor killings in modern India. "'People disrespect the disabled': Meet the man who has become face of racist attacks on Indians" (Nov 29, 2025): A profile of a Pune resident with severe physical deformities who became the target of global online harassment, highlighting issues of disability and cyber-bullying. Signature Style Soham is known for his civil-liberties lens. His reporting frequently champions the rights of the marginalized—whether it's students fighting for campus democracy, victims of regressive social practices, or residents struggling with crumbling urban infrastructure (as seen in his "Breathless Pune" contributions). He is adept at linking hyper-local Pune issues to larger national conversations about law and liberty. X (Twitter): @SohamShah07 ... Read More

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories

Tags:
PMPML

Loading Recommendations...

Jun 06: Latest News

Live Blog