Raid alert on mobiles:12 conductors nabbed

Nagpur: The flying squad of NMC’s transport department has seized 12 mobile phones from conductors deployed on Aapli buses. The gadgets were being used to alert colleagues about the impending surprise checks.
“These city bus conductors were using mobiles to alert colleagues about location of ticket checking teams via WhatsApp groups,” confirmed transport committee chairman Bunty Kukde.

Kukde said all the 12 conductors caught for possessing mobile phones in violation of rules will be terminated from their jobs.

Recently, the department had barred conductors from using mobile phone while on duty as it was being misused. Violating the directive, many conductors were allegedly keeping their smartphones with them.

In order to curb ticketless travel and boost revenue, flying squads of NMC led by transport manager Shivaji Jagtap has been conducting surprise checks. During the drive, the squads found 12 conductors allegedly possessing mobile phones.

On examination of the mobiles, it was revealed that some terminated city bus employees have reportedly formed WhatsApp groups in nexus with the conductors. They were alerting the conductors about the squads through social media. “They were also sending the real-time location of transport manager Jagtap and my vehicle to the conductors on duty,” said Kukde. As the conductors were getting real-time information about the whereabouts of the squads, the authorities were unable to curb the malpractices, he said.

Kukde claimed that both the conductors’ agencies have submitted letters acknowledged by all conductors that they would not be using mobile phones while on duty. “We will further intensify our drive,” he said.

The programme manager of Aapli Bus — Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit Systems — will also file a complaint with Cyber Cell of Nagpur city police, Kukde said.

Meanwhile, ex-employee of Aapli Bus Ambadas Shende has demanded unconditional apology from transport committee chairman for allegedly claiming his involvement as admin of the WhatsApp group. “He should apologize or I will file a defamation against Kukde,” he claimed.