₹3,863 cr operational loss bleed PMPML

THE LETTER URGES THE PMPML MANAGEMENT NOT ONLY TO REVIEW THE CONTRACTOR-BASED MODEL BUT ALSO TO ADDRESS SERVICE GAPS

- Dheeraj Bengrut

PUNE: At a time when the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has reported a cumulative operational loss of ₹3,863.1 crore over the last 10 years, its growing shift towards privatised operations — by reducing the number of self-owned buses and relying heavily upon contractor-run services — despite the receipt of financial aid from both the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations; has raised serious concerns about service quality and financial transparency.

Currently, the PMPML operates around 2,000 buses, only 800 of which are owned by the public transport body with the remaining 1,100 buses operated by private contractors under a lease model.