Pune: The four months of monsoon this year recorded a 30% increase in the number of PMPML bus breakdowns , compared to the corresponding period last year. However, the transport body has nothing in the works in terms of solutions to the matter. Between June and Sept, 8,628 buses had breakdowns this year, compared to 6,658 buses during the same period last year.
"Roads have been a major problem in Pune, and this has led to an increase in the number of breakdowns. Besides, the figures usually rise during monsoon. This time, things went out of control for a few days due to sudden and heavy rain, which resulted in traffic jams in addition to potholes," a senior official of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) told TOI.
Officials added that e-buses were affected worst this year. "Mainly, there were charging issues due to traffic and roads," another official said, and added: "We can only operate buses for commuters; factors like roads and potholes come under the ambit of other departments and agencies." Shekhar Dixit, a regular commuter pointed out that PMPML officials offer the same explanations year after year.
"Why doesn't this happen in other cities? Do officials mean to say that monsoons don't hit other places of the country? It is a joint responsibility, but every one is passing the buck. What kind of service is PMPML running," the Ravivar Peth resident asked. "In many areas, construction of roads went on during monsoon despite PMC's directions.
This result.