With temperatures soaring, once again, the issue of missing bus sheds for Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has come to the fore. Despite a hue and cry over the issue by NGOs, PMPML has failed to take concert steps to solve the problem.
There are around 5,500 PMPML bus stops in the city and adjoining areas including the request stops. Of which only 1,350 bus stops have sheds and most of them are in a dilapidated condition. About 1,000 bus stops require urgent repairs.
Missing sign boards on bus shelters have been confusing the commuters regarding the bus timings. Similarly, if a person is not a regular commuter, he doesn’t get the information regarding a bus service to the desired destination. At several places, there are sign boards, but posters have been pasted on it, said Pune Pravasi Manch member Jugal Rathi.
He said, “The redundant bus sheds on roads that have been converted into one ways need to changed urgently. The roads include Jungli Maharaj Road, Tilak Road, Fergusson College Road and many others.’’
PMPML officials blame other factors for lack of sheds or proper bus stops. On condition of anonymity, one of the in-charge of bus stop advertisements, said, “Whenever there is road widening, the bus stops get shifted. Almost all roads in the city are under construction and it becomes difficult for us to maintain them.
Thefts of chairs, shelters, boards, pipes and other material is a major concern for us. A few days ago, a beggar who had made Jungli Maharaj Road double deck bus shelter his home, was evicted with great difficulty.’’
Rathi also suggested that the tree cover can also be used as the best option for bus stop shed. He said, “There was a bus stop opposite Sahyadri Hospital in Bopodi under a tree, but this stop was shifted 15-20 meters away suddenly without any notice.’’
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