Pune: The daily routine Nana Peth resident Nilkanth Mandhre follows includes a careful scan of newspapers and identifying reports related to accidents involving PMPML buses.After carefully reading the accident reports, Mandhre visits the local police station where the accident report is registered to find out the identities and addresses of the victims. He then meet them to convey an important message—there is for accident victims of the PMPML and they must know about the same.“It has become routine for me and I do it to help people. I have always travelled in public buses. Many people don’t know about this system of compensation and end up spending huge sums on treatment. Some hire lawyers paying high fees and end up getting exploited. Once I know the police station’s jurisdiction, I talk to the cops trying to convince them to provide the names and addresses of the victim or the family. It is arduous,” he told TOI.Mandhre, who retired from the PWD in 2016, said he does not often get their help. “They make me wait and get irritated and angry. But I stay calm and talk to them to provide information. At times, they send me away and tell me to come back later. There have been times when even after many attempts, I have failed to get the information. But when I know the victims, I directly go to their homes. If there has been a death, the situation is grim but I want to ensure that they know the process and get the compensation,” he added.Records show that between April and Oct this year, the PMPML recorded 22 accidents in which 15 people lost their lives and 11 were injured. Mandhre has met 30 people and their families involved in accidents and 22 have received the compensation after he helped them. He carries photocopies of the process and the documents needed. “People don’t know that this system of compensation exists. PMPML proactively inform people. At times they question my motives, but carry on with my effort,” Mandhre told TOI.What do the rules say As per the regulations, if a person is injured in an accident involving a PMPML bus, the victim is liable for a compensation of Rs 50,000This money is not paid to the victim but to the hospital where the victim has been admitted After the invoice of treatment is received, a cheque is issued to the hospitalIf the cost of treatment exceeds Rs 50,000, the additional amount has to be borne by the victim“In case of death, a compensation of Rs 2 lakh is paid by the PMPML to the family of the victim. There is documentation and all papers are checked.”Kishor Chauhan PMPML’s public relations officer
