PUNE: The problem of haphazard parking of Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) buses along the road from Congress Bhawan till Dengle bridge is likely to be solved in another four to five months with parking facilities coming up on land belonging to two defunct octroi posts.
"The posts have been given to PMPML for parking of buses. At this moment, five plots, which had been provided to us, are being used for parking of buses. Two among them will be converted into mini bus depots so that buses can be parked as well as maintained. Though an exact date cannot be given at this moment, buses parked along the road near Pune Municipal Corporation will be parked in any of these plots," Subhash Gaikwad, public relations officer, PMPML, said.
In 2015, PMPML, under then chairman and managing director Shrikar Pardeshi, had sought transfer of octroi post's land for parking and maintenance of buses. During his tenure, inadequate bus depots led to parking of 2,100 buses on road.
"The plan gained momentum slowly but steadily. In 2016, the standing committee of PMC approved the proposal. However, things slowed down after that and it was around 8 months ago that the general body of PMC approved handing over of five plots to PMPML for parking. Though there was a year's delay, PMPML started work on the plots as soon as they got possession of the same. Approvals comprise certain stages and, hence, things got delayed," another official pointed out.
The official said that the plots they got in Bhugaon and Shindewadi areas would be converted into mini bus depots. "Buses are being parked there but PMPML is planning something more. These spots will be used for maintenance and will soon function as bus stand-cum-depots. The transport body is working on better planning and organisation," the official said.
"It cannot be denied that buses are parked on the road due to lack of parking facilities. Buses are parked not only near the Congress Bhawan stretch but also in some areas in Katraj, Swargate, among other places. On an average, around 200 buses don't have parking spaces and hence they are parked on the road. Though PMPML provides security for them and vehicles aren't parked for long hours, the risk of theft or sabotage is always there. Old buses are in the process of being scrapped and this will pave the way for buses which can be parked at depots and octroi plots soon," the official told TOI.
"The posts have been given to PMPML for parking of buses. At this moment, five plots, which had been provided to us, are being used for parking of buses. Two among them will be converted into mini bus depots so that buses can be parked as well as maintained. Though an exact date cannot be given at this moment, buses parked along the road near Pune Municipal Corporation will be parked in any of these plots," Subhash Gaikwad, public relations officer, PMPML, said.
In 2015, PMPML, under then chairman and managing director Shrikar Pardeshi, had sought transfer of octroi post's land for parking and maintenance of buses. During his tenure, inadequate bus depots led to parking of 2,100 buses on road.
"The plan gained momentum slowly but steadily. In 2016, the standing committee of PMC approved the proposal. However, things slowed down after that and it was around 8 months ago that the general body of PMC approved handing over of five plots to PMPML for parking. Though there was a year's delay, PMPML started work on the plots as soon as they got possession of the same. Approvals comprise certain stages and, hence, things got delayed," another official pointed out.
The official said that the plots they got in Bhugaon and Shindewadi areas would be converted into mini bus depots. "Buses are being parked there but PMPML is planning something more. These spots will be used for maintenance and will soon function as bus stand-cum-depots. The transport body is working on better planning and organisation," the official said.
"It cannot be denied that buses are parked on the road due to lack of parking facilities. Buses are parked not only near the Congress Bhawan stretch but also in some areas in Katraj, Swargate, among other places. On an average, around 200 buses don't have parking spaces and hence they are parked on the road. Though PMPML provides security for them and vehicles aren't parked for long hours, the risk of theft or sabotage is always there. Old buses are in the process of being scrapped and this will pave the way for buses which can be parked at depots and octroi plots soon," the official told TOI.
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