PCMC to re-install 50 bus shelters soon

PUNE: The work on re-installing 50 bus shelters along the 14-km long stretch of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Pimpri-Chinchwad is expected to begin in a few weeks.
These bus shelters were removed by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) three years ago to facilitate widening of the highway. Though the highway widening is complete, the PCMC is still to re-install the bus shelters and the delay is causing inconvenience to bus commuters.
"We plan to re-install the bus shelters soon on a build, operate and transfer' basis. We have installed two models of bus shelters at Vallabhnagar. The Pune Mahangar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) will finalise one of the models," municipal commissioner Ashish Sharma told TOI.
The engineering department officials said that the PMPML has identified 44 spots on either side of the highway for installing the bus shelters.
The PCMC will invite bids from private contractors for installing the bus shelters. As per the tentative plan, the contractor will be allowed to put up advertisements on the bus shelters and earn revenue. In return, he will have to erect separate toilet blocks for men and women and install a telephone booth at the bus shelter. In addition, the contractor will also be asked to maintain the lawns and shrubs planted on the road dividers and the trees planted along the highway.
Speaking to TOI, Anita Shinde, a commuter from Nigdi, demanded that the PCMC should install the bus shelters at the earliest to reduce the inconvenience of commuters who have to stand in the open braving the sun and rain.
Pravin Jadhav of Pimpri said, "Waiting for the bus without any shelter is painful, particularly for the senior citizens."
Ramakant Bhokare, chief of the advertisement department, PMPML, admitted that commuters are facing hardship and said the transport body will demand the PCMC to expedite the process since the road-widening work is now complete.