Panel to better PMPML

Seeing no improvement in PMPML's situation, a panel brainstorms to decide the course of action for improving the transportation system in the city. 

Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML), which is the primary transportation system of Pune needs much change to improve its service for Punekars. A panel consisting of Shyam Deshpande, leader Shiv Sena, Chandamal Parmar, Chairman, Rail, Road Traffic Management Committee, MCCIA, Anant Sardeshmukh, Director General, MCCIA, RTI activists Vivek Velankar, Jugal Rathi, Prashant Inamdar, Sujit Patwardhan, Harshad Abhyankar and S C N Jatar gathered to note down the inefficiencies of public transport and sort out the problems.
Sardeshmukh said, "Despite the system being functional for so many years, citizens have not got efficient transportation system till now. It is also not certain how long passengers will have to wait at any bus stop. We combined both the organisations-Pune Municipal Transport (PMT) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Transport (PCMT) in one as PMPML four years back. But services provided by them are not satisfactory as they are not meeting commuting needs, thereby affecting the commuters." 
"PMPML claimed loss. But they have huge land space (in depot) and advertisement spots from where revenue could be generated. These spaces are left abandoned but they can be used for commercial purpose. Seeing its performance, we are confused if PMPML is going backwards or heading forward," Rathi added.
"Population of Pune has multiplied over the years, which needs more number of buses. Even if the number of buses is doubled, it will again face shortage after three years. There will also be parking problem," Inamdar said.
Jatar said, "Now-a-days, every organisation is working with a vision. But PMPML lacks aim, plan and vision because they never thought how frequently and rapidly buses should ply. They need to work with a perfect plan. However, political parties should act in this matter."
"There are three top posts including finance, expert and director, which are vacant since long in PMPML. People working on these posts pay marginal attention. How could one expect better services? These posts should be filled up immediately. Apart from this, the budget provided to PMPML every year should also be increased," Velankar added.
Suggesting a solution, Deshpande said, "There should be five-year plans included in it. These plans should have two goals-one for the short term and the other for the long term. In short term, we will purchase 500 new buses to resolve the current situation. After it, 1000 buses will be added in the city."

--Ramesh Kumar