Pune: PMPML’s move to prevent mechanical or systematic faults in buses with a 15-point checklist has come to a naught, with 2,149 buses breaking down in Aug alone. Of these, 1,480 were run by private contractors, and 669 by Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML). Compared to the previous months, the breakdowns of PMPML-owned buses were the highest in Aug since June this year. At the start of Aug, PMPML’s chairman and managing director Pankaj Deore had said drivers and depot maintenance engineers would have to follow a 15-point checklist before commencing any trip. This included checks of brakes, tyre pressure, clutch, wipers, electrical systems, intelligent traffic management system, cleanliness etc. He had said the transport body was considering deducting half-day’s salary of the driver and the depot maintenance engineer in case of breakdowns.While Deore couldn’t be contacted, a senior PMPML official said, “The plan is good and is being followed. It will show results. But, the city had received heavy rain in Aug and the breakdowns are a result of the same. In many cases, even after the bus is checked and okayed for a trip, a breakdown can happen due to the rain. Pune city, Pimpri Chinchwad and adjoining areas had received extremely heavy rain last month,” the official said.In July, 2,313 buses broke down. Of these, 420 were PMPML-owned and the rest operated by private contractors. In June, 2,408 buses sputtered to a stop. Of these, 713 buses were PMPML-owned, and 1,695 run by private contractors. In May, 1,961 buses faced breakdowns. Of these, 561 were owned by PMPML, while 1,400 by private contractors. Officials said the vehicles that broke down were diesel-run as well as e-buses. “This clearly shows that the directions have not been followed. How can more than 2,000 buses break down with strict checks in place? Do any of these PMPML officials know how it feels when buses suddenly stop in pouring rain? In my case, the breakdown happened on MG Road and the driver cited electrical issue. Senior officials should be on ground to check whether directions were being followed,” Camp resident Santosh Joshi said.PMPML’s PRO Kishore Chauhan said bad roads and traffic caused breakdowns. “Owing to several potholes, a majority of buses suffered tyre punctures. This is something which cannot be avoided. Rain leads to heavy traffic and in many cases; the batteries of e-buses lost charge. Things will change once the rain stops,” he told TOI.
