PUNE: Commuters of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) had a harrowing time last week as heavy rain lashed the city leading to waterlogging and traffic congestions. Breakdown of PMPML buses added to their woes, once more reflecting the poor maintenance. In all, 1,100 buses broke down last week. 

According to a PMPML official, “Around 440 PMPML-owned buses and 690 buses run by private contractors broke down last week. On an average, around 150 buses, including 60 PMPML-owned, and 90 run by contractors broke down.” 

However, as a routine, the authority sent a letter to the private contractors and asked the depot staff to explain the breakdowns.

“Memos have been issued to the technical staff seeking a detailed explanation from them. Pune has been receiving heavy rainfall for over a week now. It calls for better safety measures and the depots need to be instructed accordingly,” said a senior official of PMPML. 

Due to the breakdowns, traffic congestions were witnessed from Warje to Karve Nagar, Karve Road to Kothrud and Ahmednagar Road towards Wagholi. 

Several passengers were stranded in the middle of the road. Such buses could be seen on Shivaji Road, Bajirao Road, Tilak Road, FC Road, Karve Road, Kothrud, Warje, Bund Garden and Wagholi. The towing facility was provided within half an hour, but this led to traffic jams during the heavy rains. 

“The main reason for the breakdowns was potholes. We received several complaints about heavy traffic jams as our buses broke down,” said a PMPML official.