TMT Bachao Kruti Samiti to help TMT to improve.

Poor TMT services irk citizens’ group

TMT has around 400 buses out of which only 180 buses are functional

Deepa Sarna Gawli

Irked by the poor bus services of the Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) and false promises made by the authorities to improve them, a citizens’ group in Thane has now stepped forward to take the matter into their own hands.
The members of the group strongly believe that TMT’s existence will be short-lived, considering the outstanding dues of its employees and the buses lined up for repairs at the bus depots.
“We have heard authorities just giving us false hopes, saying that they will improve TMT bus services. But they have hardly done anything. The buses are still awaiting repairs at the depot and also, the employees’ dues are still pending,” said Satyajit Shah, a Thane resident who was among the group of citizens who visited Wagle Estate bus depots to assess the situation.
“The mayor had promised that funds would be provided and soon 30 of the 112 buses lying idle would be made functional. But nothing of that sort has happened. TMT is the lifeline of the city, so we residents have decided to raise our voice against the poor services and lethargic attitude of officials,” added Shah. These residents have informally formed a TMT Bachao Kruti Samiti.
Last month, Thane mayor Harishchandra Patil had met TMT staff to hear their grievances. Patil promised funds of Rs2 crore, of which Rs55 lakh was to be utilised for repairing buses and the rest to clear the outstanding dues of TMT employees. In all, around Rs3.5 crore has been given to TMT. However, the citizens’ group members doubt TMT officials’ claim that around 24 buses have been brought on the roads.
“We have given them around Rs3.5 crore till now to carry out the repairs and make payments to their employees. As the code of conduct is on till July 7 due to the impending MLC (member of legislative council) elections, we cannot provide further help. Only after the code of conduct is lifted will we be in a position to provide financial aid,” said Patil. The mayor also clarified that spare parts of around six buses are awaited and as soon as they are delivered, these buses too would be brought on the roads.
Presently, the TMT has around 400 buses but hardly 180 buses are functional. The TMT ferries over 3 lakh passengers and covers a distance of around 63, 000 kilometres daily.

Published Date:  Jun 13, 2012

Fight by TMT Bachao Kruti Samiti to save TMT

Protest against poor services of TMT cancelled

Deepa Sarna Gawli

The citizens who had threatened civic officials with a protest on Saturday against the poor services of the Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) in the city cancelled their protest after changes being made in the administration by the mayor.

Looking at the outstanding dues of its employees and the deplorable condition of the buses, the citizens do not see any hope of TMT’s survival. Irked by the poor services and false hopes given by authorities to improve the TMT bus services, the citizens had warned the civic authority of a protest.

However, civic authorities have now decided to make changes in the administration. “Devidas Tekale is being appointed as the general manager of TMT while Ashok Burpule is appointed as a special officer on duty,” informed Satyajit Shah, an active resident from the city and a member of TMT Bachao Kruti Samiti.

“Mayor Harishchandra Patil has provided a fund of Rs90 lakh to clear the outstanding dues of TMT staff. We can see things happening, so we cancelled the protest for now,” Shah added.

Shah and likeminded people had come together around a month and a half back to form TMT Bachao Kruti Samiti. Since then, the members have visited the depots, interacted with TMT authorities, municipal commissioner and even the Mayor. Since this initiative mayor has granted around Rs3.5 crore to TMT so as to clear the outstanding dues of its employees and repair of the buses.

However, when DNA tried contacting the mayor, he was unable for comment. Meanwhile, Burpule said, “My role will be to look into the administration part. As there are complaints from commuters, we shall look into it and resolve them.”

Published Date: Jun 16, 2012

Still Overloading of Trucks not stopped @ Mumbai - Pune Express Way

This is a photo clicked on 2nd June, 2012 @ around 8.50 a.m. on Mumbai – Pune Express way, before 1st Toll Naka i.e. while going from Mumbai to Pune. If you ZOOM one of the photo you can see the Truck Registration no. also which is KA-01-AB-1773. It is clearly seen that the load which is kept in this truck has shifted to one side. I feel this may lead to an ACCIDENT. It is surprising that , we stopped at Food Mall after first toll. Later on we have seen the same Truck before crossing second toll i.e. last toll while going to Pune from Mumbai. Which is clear that either not a single person from Traffic Police nor from IRB stopped him or if somebody had stopped then truck driver must have given some CHAI PANI and proceeded. It is a shock that some 2/3 days back only one of the Horrible accident took place on the same road killing 27 lives. Is our lives so CHEAP or in INDIA money can buy anything ? Now you will ask why I didn’t complain any body on the way ? The fact is that I could not see any police and also if I would have stopped than Police would fined me for stopping on Express Way instead of stopping this truck driver. Here I would like to share my experience. Few years back , I stopped on Express Way, gave Truck no to one of the Traffic Police and informed him that the load on the Truck is tilting to one side. To my surprise, this truck later on overtook us . In case you feel that HUMAN LIFE has some value, then please do the further needful or such things will help INDIA in polulation reduction. MERA BHARAT MAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN. I am a very ordinary, common man of INDIA. I strongly feel that Evil Triumphs When Good People Sit Quiet