City activists on Sunday demanded that the two civic bodies pay proper attention to the better functioning of the city transport utility, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML).
The activists also demanded a proactive role by the PMPML management to improve the condition of the cash strapped utility.
The two senior officials of Sajag Nagrik Manch (SNM), Vivek Velankar and Jugal Rathi, the senior member of Bus Pravasi Sangh, Abhijeet AM, Kishori Gadre of Janwani and Ranjit Gadgil of Parisar discussed the issue during the monthly meeting of SNM at the Institute of Management Development and Research (IMDR).
“Both Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporations are not paying attention to improve the functioning of PMPML. It is due to their indifference that the transport utility has failed to live up to the expectations of the commuters,’’ alleged
Velankar.
According to the activists, they apprehend that PMPML management would increase the fares on the pretext that the price of diesel has been hiked. “But will increasing the fares solve the woes of PMPML?,’’ Rathi questioned.
According to the activists, even without increasing the fares, the PMPML management can make the utility a robust organisation to serve the commuters well.
Citing an example of the alleged step motherly attitude of the civic bodies, Gadgil said that out of Rs3,200 crore budget of the PMC, only Rs21.3 crore (0.7%) is spent on PMPML.
“Rather than spending huge sum of money on constructing overbridges and flyovers, PMC and PCMC must concentrate on strengthening the existing transport system,’’ said Abhijeet AM.
The activists demanded that the wasteful expenditure of PMPML must be stopped.
Rathi said, “PMPML is even denied the money they deserve from the advertisements and student and
police passes.’’
“Strengthening the PMPML service is the only option to solve the traffic problem of the city. But if a commuter is unable to afford it, then he would definitely avoid it as an option. With such indifference and poor management, the PMPML buses will become extinct one day,’’ the activists warned.
