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Maharashtra is one of the most Coronavirus affected states in the country. The state has topped the chart both in the number of cases and deaths in the country. Elets Technomedia organized a webinar with Nayana Gunde, Chairman and Managing Director, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) to know the detailed plans to curb the epidemic in Pune.

Role of PMPML

On the role of PMPML, Nayana said, “PMPML main focus is to facilitate a sustainable, efficient, safe and well-maintained transport infrastructure for the public. We allow urban and rural dwellers the opportunity to participate in economic activities and access essential services, especially for students & women.”

Further, Nayana said, “Currently, in PMPML only those departments are working who are providing essential services. We are providing services in major hospitals. We are providing bus services to all frontline warriors including policemen, doctors, para-medical staff, banking personnel, sanitization workers and more.” Specific instructions have been given to the drivers and conductors to not to allow more than 20 people in a bus, she added.

On effective strategies adopted, Nayana said, “We have established a command and control centre in our office from where we can track all the buses.”

Moreover, “AFCS (Automated Fair Collection System) was introduced where the conductor have the E-ticketing system. So the tickets are no longer paper tickets. So, that we are getting the realtime data that how much collection we did in a day.”

Challenges

Discussing challenges during COVID crisis, Nayana said, “Due to the COVID-19 crisis, we had to gradually reduce the number of buses on the road. Earlier, we were catering to around 11.5 lakh passengers in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune. We were running about 1600 buses prior to the crisis. But now, we have only 100 buses on the roads. With the number of buses and passengers reduced the income plunged drastically. Our Income was around Rs 1.55 cr daily but it came down to Rs 1.5-2 lakh.” 

Also Read: PMPML is operating 120 buses as emergency service amidst lockdown

“We are also trying to decrease our losses and cut down our costs. For which we have shut down seven of our depots. We have stopped all the new purchase and rescheduled our routs”, she added. 

Preparations for Pandemic

Speaking on preparations she said, “The masks and other protective gears are compulsory for drivers and conductors. They have to ensure that the people who are entering into the bus should wear mask. Sanitizers are provided to them, buses are sanitized 2-3 times daily.

Adding on Nayana said, “We have started sanitizing tunnels and cabins in every depot and provided sanitizers to major terminals and depots also.”

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