PMPML has already begun parking a few buses from Monday at the new depot and basic operations have begun. “A full-fledged bus terminus will come up once we get budgetary provisions. A proposal for the new bus terminus has already been sent. At the initial stage, a bus stand has been started at Shindewadi, and buses to the outskirts of Pune and to a few nearby villages have begun plying from here,“ said Sunil Gawali, traffic manager, operations.
The transport utility has just 10 depots for its fleet of 2,100 buses. Most of these are parked on roads outside PMC bhavan, Shivajinagar and Pune stations, etc. PMPML officials had claimed that no proper facility for them means there are break-ins and spare parts get stolen, which in turn results in frequent breakdowns. Also, owing to a shortage of depots, newer routes cannot be started. Moreover, since the buses travel empty following their journeys, they incur losses.
The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) had approved a 1.25-acre land at Hinjewadi just 10 days ago at a cost of Rs 58 lakh. The Shindewadi land has been provided to the PMPML free of cost. “Like we did at Hinjewadi, we are facing a problem at Katraj as well.The existing Katraj depot services buses not only to the city, but also to nearby villages like Ambegaon, Narhe, Sus, Lavale, etc, which is a huge burden on the depot. A secondary depot at Shindewadi would service these places. Moreover, services from Katraj to Hinjewadi will also improve and the buses can travel through the bypass highway,“ said a senior PMPML official.
The PMPML had asked for land from five octroi posts, located at different parts of the city. After Hinjewadi and Shindewadi, the PMC will look to allot land at Shewalwadi on Pune-Solapur Road and Bhekrainagar on Saswad Road.
Source : Pune Mirror
