Disha Gupta, Pune
Shiv Sena leader Pramod Bhangire led a sudden PMPML strike demanding overdue benefits, including payment of arrears according to the 7th Pay Commission. Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) employees launched an early morning strike on Tuesday, impacting about 150 buses until 8 am. Hadapsar, Shevalvadi, Bhekrainagar, and Nigdi depots were most severely affected from this Strikes.
Leader Pramod Bhangire of Shiv Sena initiated a strike for various pending demands including payment of arrears according to the 7th Pay Commission, permanent positions for long-term contract workers, and prompt promotions.
“The strike caused me to be 30 minutes late for a test at my college. I also had to shell out an additional Rs 200 since I had to book an app-based auto,” said Nandini Nainwad, 21 years old student, who travels daily from Hadapsar to Symbiosis University in Viman Nagar.
The protest ended when Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) management provided a written assurance to protesting strikers. PMPML public relations officer, Satish Ghate stated that, “The board of directors (sanchalak mandal) intends to hold a meeting before August 15 with the agenda of fulfilling the demands of the PMPML staffers.”
Four private bus contractors – Olectra, Travel Time, Hansa, and Anthony – initiated a strike, demanding payment of overdue bills from the past three months. Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) currently has 2,142 buses, with 1,100 owned by contractors and 900 in its own fleet. The contractors claim they launch the strike after multiple unsuccessful attempts to secure their pending payments.
The strike’s impact was minimal on Sunday due to it being a non-working day. Pune residents said that if the strike continues on Monday, it will cause inconvenience to office-goers and students. Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) chairman and managing director, Om Prakash Bakoria stated: “Contractors are owed up to ₹90 crore. They demanded us to get the bills cleared within 15 days. Despite our requests, they did not ply buses on allotted routes from Sunday afternoon. We will operate our 900 buses on main routes Monday.”