Pune: PMPML To Install Panic Buttons In Buses By May To Enhance Passenger Safety
Pune: PMPML To Install Panic Buttons In Buses By May To Enhance Passenger Safety ( Representational Image )
Pune: The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has announced plans to install panic buttons across its entire fleet by May 2025. This move aims to bolster passenger safety, particularly for women who form a significant portion of the 12 lakh daily commuters.
The initiative, first proposed in 2018, had been delayed multiple times. While PMPML authorities revived the project in December 2024 and set a March 2025 deadline, the implementation has now been pushed to May.
Nitin Narvekar, Joint Managing Director of PMPML, confirmed that work on the project is yet to commence. “We are aiming to complete the installation by May,” he stated.
The urgency of safety measures has been underscored following recent incidents, such as the Swargate bus depot rape case, which have raised concerns about women’s security on public transport. Many residents have urged PMPML to expedite the installation of panic buttons and CCTV cameras, which were initially promised by February.
In addition to safety measures, PMPML is also expanding its fleet. Plans are in place to introduce between 1,600 and 1,700 new buses, with some being leased and others purchased. Additionally, 350 older buses that have reached the end of their operational tenure will be scrapped. PMPML has assured passengers that new buses will be added to prevent service disruptions.
