Parked along roads & outside depots, PMPML buses vulnerable at night

Pune: The city's public transport utility faces a challenge similar to MSRTC buses when it comes to parking along roads and outside depots at night, leaving the vehicles unattended and exposed to possible criminal activity.
Citizens said Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML)'s roadside parking not only obstructs traffic, but could lead to untoward incidents. Miscreants have open access to buses — many of which are without proper locking systems and have broken windows.
PMPML buses are usually parked along the roads near the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)'s main building, University-Agriculture College Road and spots near terminals. Regular commuters said monitoring of buses at night should increase and more staff deployed at places where the vehicles are parked to avoid misuse.
Resident of Shivajinagar area Jitendra Bhosale said PMPML buses are being parked outside the PMC main building for years now. "There is no surveillance. Parked vehicles also block access to footpaths. Chances of theft cannot be ruled out, since the buses are not monitored," he added.
PMPML officials said most buses are parked within the premises of depots at night, but some are on the roads because of lack of space. The transport utility is working on a plan to upgrade depots to ensure more parking space. Officials said they have directed drivers and conductors to see doors and windows of their vehicles are shut properly when parked at night.
Meanwhile, civic activists have raised questions over the delay in redevelopment of PMPML bus depots.
Activist Vikram Gaikwad said the proposal to redevelop bus depots is being discussed for many years now. All depots are at key locations in the city and have considerable space. The transport utility can use the space to accommodate more buses by constructing multi-storeyed buildings and exploit FSI for commercial activities, which will also earn them a good income.
Gaikwad said PMPML and PMC and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation should together come out with a comprehensive plan to redevelop depots to better utilise space.
## Concerns raised
- Roadside parking is risky; chances of theft and damages to buses cannot be ruled out
- PMPML has been slow on development of depots
- Roadside parking of PMPML buses is common at PMC building and roads around depots
- Doors and windows of buses are not properly locked
Pune: The city's public transport utility faces a challenge similar to MSRTC buses when it comes to parking along roads and outside depots at night, leaving the vehicles unattended and exposed to possible criminal activity.
Citizens said Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML)'s roadside parking not only obstructs traffic, but could lead to untoward incidents. Miscreants have open access to buses — many of which are without proper locking systems and have broken windows.
PMPML buses are usually parked along the roads near the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)'s main building, University-Agriculture College Road and spots near terminals. Regular commuters said monitoring of buses at night should increase and more staff deployed at places where the vehicles are parked to avoid misuse.
Resident of Shivajinagar area Jitendra Bhosale said PMPML buses are being parked outside the PMC main building for years now. "There is no surveillance. Parked vehicles also block access to footpaths. Chances of theft cannot be ruled out, since the buses are not monitored," he added.
PMPML officials said most buses are parked within the premises of depots at night, but some are on the roads because of lack of space. The transport utility is working on a plan to upgrade depots to ensure more parking space. Officials said they have directed drivers and conductors to see doors and windows of their vehicles are shut properly when parked at night.
Meanwhile, civic activists have raised questions over the delay in redevelopment of PMPML bus depots.
Activist Vikram Gaikwad said the proposal to redevelop bus depots is being discussed for many years now. All depots are at key locations in the city and have considerable space. The transport utility can use the space to accommodate more buses by constructing multi-storeyed buildings and exploit FSI for commercial activities, which will also earn them a good income.
Gaikwad said PMPML and PMC and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation should together come out with a comprehensive plan to redevelop depots to better utilise space.
## Concerns raised
- Roadside parking is risky; chances of theft and damages to buses cannot be ruled out
- PMPML has been slow on development of depots
- Roadside parking of PMPML buses is common at PMC building and roads around depots
- Doors and windows of buses are not properly locked