1 crore budget set for spare parts of TMT buses

Story from page 2 - Thane, dnaofmumbai

`1 crore budget set for spare parts of TMT buses

dna correspondent @dna

Thane: Commuters have since long been complaining about delayed and irregular services by the Thane Municipal Transport (TMT). The latter, in fact, had been on the verge of shutting down. Now, though, the TMT Bachao Kruti Samiti has come to its rescue. After the Samiti highlighted the issues plaguing the transport body, a sum of Rs1 crore was approved as a budget for obtaining spare parts for TMT buses. Members of the Samiti visited the Wagle Estate bus depot and made a list of the problems faced by them. TMT officials have always maintained that they are incurring losses and had decided to shut the services. It was at this juncture that the TMT Bachao Samiti intervened and organised campaigns, filed RTIs and met the chief minister to help TMT. Meanwhile, a Tokan Andolan was also started by the Samiti members. The latter asked people to donate money and help TMT. Talking about the campaign, Satyajit Shah, a member, said, “We formally launched this campaign to let officials know that people want the service in the city and are ready to lend a helping hand.” He added, “Nearly 268 people donated money and we managed to collect Rs1,900. However, when we approached the officials to hand them the money, they denied and called for a meeting the same day. A budget of Rs1 crore was allotted for purchasing spare parts for TMT buses.” Shah added, “The population of Thane has increased manifold. Instead of taking steps to improve public transportation, decisions are being taken to terminate an existing service. It is surprising when at a time our neighbouring corporation, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, is planning monorail and metro for better connectivity, TMC officials are thinking about shutting down the service.” With the money from the budget, 150 buses would be added on city roads soon and the committee members would also keep an eye on work being done and would visit the depot regularly to keep a tab. It was also decided that 92 buses that are lying unused at the Wagle Estate Depot would be auctioned soon. Notices for auctioning have already been floated in various newspapers. The civic commissioner has also promised the committee members that Rs5.75 crore, which is pending with the police department, would also be recovered soon and TMT services would improve in the city.

Published Date:  Jul 08, 2014