31 March,2011 05:54 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
PMPML not aware about the fire as commuters continue to bear the sun in absence of any alternative shield
Commuters using the Bibwewadi-Kondhwa route public transport are complaining that they have to tolerate the increasing mercury levels while waiting for the buses. This is because on Saturday, a bus stop suddenly caught fire near P and T colony but even five days later, no shed has been temporarily put up for commuters to take
respite from the scorching sun.
Gone in 60 minutes: The bus stop at Bibwewadi-Kondhwa that caught
fire on Saturday.
Mukund Kakade, a social activist, who witnessed the fire said, "None of the residents living nearby came forward to douse the flames with buckets of water. The bus stop was burnt to ashes in 10 minutes."
Bipin Sant, a resident of the area said that there was no other shelter to stand under while waiting for the buses in their area.
"The temperatures in the city are rising and PMPML should make an alternative arrangement as soon as
possible to give people some relief," he demanded.
First such incident
According to Prashant Ranpise, PMC Fire Brigade Chief, this is the first incident of a bus stop catching fire in Pune. "We can put fire extinguisher at bus stops which are considered to be the safest place. There were 10 incidents of fire in the PMPML buses last year due to short circuit in engine," he said.
The Other Side
The PMPML, however, seemed unaware of this accident. RB Bhokare, Advertisement Head, PMPML who also looks after the bus stop maintenance said that he was not aware of such fire. "If there was such a fire, we are yet to estimate any losses." Satish Kulkarni, Joint MD, PMPML, said "First we have to find whether the bus stop that caught fire belonged to us or was built by PMC under Built Operate and Transfer (BOT) scheme."
