PUNE: The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) is yet to remove or repair 37 bus shelters deemed dangerous and risky even two weeks after a 20-year-old ‘Pune pattern’ bus shelter came crashing down in the Camp area, injuring two persons.
The PMPML was prompt in carrying out a survey after the August 17 accident to identify dilapidated bus shelters. “The survey identified 37 ‘Pune pattern’ shelters - among the oldest. Before bringing them down, we require authorisation from senior officials. The file regarding the same was moved on Tuesday. Once we get the green signal, the process of replacing them will start,” a transport body official said.
He said that there has been some delay as the officials concerned were on leave. “Some of the Pune pattern bus shelters are in Pune and Khadki cantonments and letters have been sent to them to remove weak structures. We are likely to start the action in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits soon,” the official added.
Another transport body official said that no such survey was carried out in the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) limits. “There is no need as all the bus shelters there are made of stainless steel,” the official said. Pratham Kandu, a daily commuter, said, “The transport body is playing with the lives of the people. Despite knowing that these shelters are risky, the PMPML has not removed or repaired them,” he said.
Sanjay Shitole, an active member of the PMP Pravasi Manch, said, “On the one hand, they are quick to come up with modern smart shelters in posh areas like the FC Road, but have not taken any steps about old risky shelters. The rains have started. What will happen if another shelter falls?” he asked.
A PMPML official claimed that they wanted to be sure about the fitness of these structures and have told the team to check properly. “The first time the team had identified eight to nine shelters, but when we told them to check again, they found quite a few shelters deemed to be dangerous,” he said.
