P.S.: ‘Assal Puneri’
lokanno, krupya hi blog tumcha
swatacha jokhmivar vaacha. Hi blog tumcha ghav varti mith sodu shakto XD.
Translating that, Die-hard Punekars, please read this blog
at your own risk. This post may rub salt on your wounds! This is because I’m
going to bash our very own PMPML (Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd.)
which even you will surely admit is a joke, but brace yourselves!
Every traveller in Pune. Reminded me of the times I travelled. (PC: The Golden Sparrow)
I remember my first tryst with PMPML (Then Pune Municipal Transport)
when I used to travel with my father to Pulgate. We used to catch a bus from
Vaibhav Talkies, Hadapsar and travel upto the Pulgate bus stand. That was in
the early 2000s when you had the decently maintained old buses of the ‘MH12R’
and ‘MH12AR’ series plying on the streets. Apparently, this fact also has a
sacred connotation with BEST’s ‘MH01L’ and ‘MH01LA’ series which came in later.
However, the latter lived up to its connotations to a large extent barring the
battered King Longs while these buses were converted to depot service vehicles.
This brought out a feeling of gloom for me and still saddens me till today.
Let me now tell you a story.
Once upon a time in 2007, I had a very good
impression on PMT buses because of the BEST-like facades and the engine growl.
I had travelled to and from Bengaluru in a KSRTC Airavat in November 2006 which
increased my affection for the Swedish brand, such that I used to boast with my
classmates that I travelled in a Volvo! I was all the more happy when I
realised that PMT was going to get more buses into its fleet which included ten
Volvo B7R low floors! Along with this attractive package were BEST-MUTP styled and
normal Tata low floor buses and Tata low-floor CBUs (Completely Built Units).
Pune was also the first city in India to experiment with the
BRT system. The BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system includes allotting separate
lanes only for buses. It is also necessary to utilize and optimize space
effectively for ridding any hindrance in traffic. Usually, a conventional BRT
system looks like this:
Shivranjani Station, Ahmedabad BRTS System (PC: Hindu Business Line)
However, Pune Municipal Corporation had a huge adrenaline
rush and was fantasizing on getting world recognition for this project (As if
Pune’s proximity to Mumbai or Misal Pav was not enough). They went on to build
the BRT lane somewhat like this:
Unconventional, isn’t it?
And this was it. Soon after the PMT-PCMT merger into PMPMLand formal
commencement of operations, they started plying all the Volvos and half of the
low floors in these lanes. The results were...... read on to find out!
I started using buses full-fledgedly as I started going for
tuition classes in Salunke Vihar around 2010 and later around towards Camp in
2013. These years were enough to scar me for life. Enough said. Fortunately, I shifted to a scooter in November 2013 like any other resident of Pune.
Here are a few examples to cite my dissatisfaction:
1.A feature on 99% PMPML buses. Will prevent anyone else from sitting on your seat on being viewed:
2.Very useful if you want a whiff of fresh air mixed with putrid odours and pollutants:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37aD4_x7opw
3.Lack of technical knowledge:
1.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opXugU3CYHI
(Missing horn pad and damage being done to the clutch plate got me to tears. My sincere sympathies with ACGL Goa who procured these units.)
2.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOs6-kQrCKs
(Many drivers do this. They prompt the accelerator with such objects and keep the brake pressed for stopping. This damages the engine, the braking system and also poses a huge risk to passengers' safety.)
4.The public transport system of a city is a reflection of its culture and the people:
5. Finally, The much anticipated Volvos:
(PC: Biswajit Baruah)
6. Scams, Anyone?
1.https://cyberjournal24.in/2015/09/27/punes-pmpml-officials-sold-brand-new-buses-purchased-under-jnnurm-to-third-parties/
2.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMpZZ4-xiwo
Let me also cite a few videos which have highlighted the
plight:
1.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqXEy1VEeE0
2.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi8WYG9nVQ0
3.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfqVpc-OSPY
4.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHIEku6ntfQ
Apparently, the uploader of the third video was idiotic
enough to go in this lane and shoot a video. He proved himself to be a
true-blue indifferent Punekar.
BRT
Lanes are also open to emergency vehicles. The fact that the ambulance
in the fourth video was blocked just points out to the mutual
callousness in Pune's system.
Looking from a positive angle, PMPML has actually facilitated excellent business for the Regional Transport Offices of Pune Main (MH12), Pimpri-Chinchwad (MH14) and their rural counterpart of Baramati (MH42)!
Later, there were buses bought for the BRT lanes. The previous lot has already been battered without any use of their BRT doors and the newer lot, although being used are in the process of being battered.
After many years, a sincere effort was put out to improve the situation and thus 'Indradhanush' BRT was born. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpNH13VeAKY
The Aundh-Chinchwad lane however has gathered favourable
response especially after the proper planning which went into developing this
lane. This was one sensible step which goes on to prove why people of Pimpri
Chinchwad are actually serious and instrumental in getting things implemented
as compared to the indifferent and lazy people of Pune.
Another line is being readied from Sangamwadi to Kharadi. Hopefully the line works out as well as the previous one. However, there will always be some issue:
1.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-sZLKEDtpI
2.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPriZ8tQtcA
3.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpNH13VeAKY
Moral: Never make decisions in haste and repent later.
While PMPML and PMC's efforts are worth recognition, I, as any other resident of Pune will still stick to the advantage and comfort of a private vehicle and save myself from the laughs and taunts which Bangaloreans and Hyderabadis shower on us - all for this near defunct body.
Pune, it's a Poor Joke, and the Punekar attitude is NOT good for PMPML's existence.
- Shoubhik Ghosh
Disclaimer: Views expressed are the author's own.
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