PMPML introduces 15-point checklist to reduce bus breakdowns
2
3
4
Pune: PMPML has introduced a 15-point checklist, similar to the tasks performed by pilots and aircrew prior to takeoff, for drivers and depot maintenance engineers that must be followed before buses go out on trips.
The move, according to PMPML chairman-cum-managing director Pankaj Deore, was aimed at reducing the number of breakdowns, which went up alarmingly over the past two years. "Most often, breakdowns occur due to carelessness and negligence on the part of drivers and maintenance engineers. To reduce such incidents, we have introduced a checklist similar to the system checks carried out by pilots and aircrew before takeoff.
If any bus suffers breakdown, we also plan to cut half-day salaries of driver and depot maintenance engineer. However, if these 15 points are followed seriously, the numbers will come down, we believe," the official told TOI.
In July this year, a total of 2,313 breakdowns were reported, of which 420 happened in PMPML-owned buses and the rest in buses operated by private contractors. In June, the number stood at 2,408, and in May, a total of 1,961 breakdowns occurred.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Brigade Avalon™ Official
Brigade Avalon
Learn More
Undo
by Taboola
by Taboola
Last year, the transport body, which has around 2,000 buses in its fleet, recorded more than 15,000 breakdowns.
You Can Also Check:
Pune AQI
|
Weather in Pune
|
Bank Holidays in Pune
|
Public Holidays in Pune
"If any driver checks the bus diligently before taking it out on a trip, the same can be reduced. The drivers just come and take the bus out without any checks. The depot maintenance engineers too don't pay much attention to the issue. It has been seen that buses belonging to private contractors have been facing more breakdowns.
Our focus is to bring down such incidents," the CMD said.
The checklist, according to the officials, is simple and basic. "Before any bus leaves the depot, the driver has to check the four wheels and ensure that they are fine. Then, the driver has to check the brakes, gears, clutch, indicators, hand brakes, wipers, etc., and make sure that they are working properly without any hiccups. Also, the driver has to move inside the bus and make sure that it is neat and clean and also see whether the intelligent traffic management system (ITMS) is working or not.
He has to carefully check the entire dashboard and see if all equipment is working. The bus engine needs to be started for checks regarding any unusual sound and tyre pressure. Following the same, if everything seems to be working fine, the same is to be informed to the depot maintenance engineer, who will approve it, and only then will the bus can be moved out of the depot for a trip. The whole process shouldn't take more than 20-30 minutes," another official said, adding that the same applies to buses operated by private contractors.
"In the last financial year, private contractors had paid Rs2 crore to PMPML for breakdowns of buses maintained by them. As per the agreement, they have to pay a penalty to PMPML in case their buses suffer breakdowns," the CMD said.
Commuters said that some stern steps need to be taken to stop recurrence of breakdowns. "Something needs to be done as we are fed up with regular incidents of breakdowns. For years, the situation has remained the same, and nothing has changed," Mahesh Joshi, a commuter, said.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Broader geopolitical environment made automotive industry move away from reaction mode to an anticipation mode, says Markus Helfrich of HARMAN Automotive, a Samsung company
Samsung Electronics-owned HARMAN Automotive's SVP, HR, Markus Helfrich said the broader environment comprising geopolitics, supply-chain issues, semi-conductor shortage, has heavily impacted the global automotive industry. However, ''These challenges have definitely made the industry more cautious, more resilient in sourcing and handling partner ecosystems, building location strategy, but also made the industry to be more strategic,'' he told The Hindu. Mr. Helfrich also said, the industry which was on a reaction mode, traditionally, has now entered an anticipation mode, because of the constantly changing market environment. 'We've had to build resilience, in sourcing, in partner ecosystems, in location strategy. And we're not just reacting now, but we're anticipating where the industry is heading and preparing well in advance. The challenges have definitely made the industry more cautious, but also more strategic,'' he added. According to Mr. Helfrich, the biggest impact on the industry so far has been, the change, that is getting more 'rapid'' and increasingly 'unpredictable.'' 'Things are coming without any notice today. If something happens with China or Taiwan tomorrow, we don't know. It is unpredictable. The tariff situation has a big impact. I mean we are all aware of things happening overnight. So, things can change quickly,'' he observed. Narrating a classic example of geopolitical tension faced by the industry recently, Krishna Kumar, Managing Director, HARMAN India said, the rare earth material shortage came up as a big issue globally; and neo magnets, or neodymium, a type of strong magnets made from alloys of rare earth elements, came only from China. 'It is difficult for anyone to make a speaker without neo magnets, the best-in-class magnets, used in speakers for high-quality sound effects. China decided to revoke the licences of all providers of these magnets and asked them to reapply. Our vendors were fortunate to receive approvals from China, and we were able to procure the neodymium magnets. For some time it was a big tension, and it was a 100% geopolitical issue,'' commented Mr. Kumar. Mr. Helfrich further said, earlier the industry had time to prepare and fix strategies, but now under constantly changing market dynamics, that mode was not feasible anymore. ``Today, what keeps you alive is a good network, global reach, international mindset, having a strong team that works together beyond any conflicts. To my understanding, that is the only thing which guarantees you to stay above any daily conflicts,'' concluded Mr. Helfrich, who was in Bengaluru as part of HARMAN Automotive's 14‑month global cultural transformation programme designed to reimagine how the company's automotive teams think, collaborate, lead and grow. Stamford-based Harman International was acquired by Samsung Electronics in 2017 for $8 billion. The acquisition was part of Samsung's strategy to expand into the automotive and connected car market and it gave the Korean electronic giant access to Harman's automotive and connected technologies, including brands like Harman Kardon, AKG, JBL, and others.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Biggest outcome from Trump-Putin summit: A 10-minute private talk in ‘The Beast' that could change the world
Trump-Putin summit opens with a private chat inside 'The Beast'- When President Donald Trump welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Anchorage on August 15, the optics were unmistakable. After the formalities of a red-carpet reception at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson—complete with military honors, marching bands, and an unusually warm handshake—the two leaders stepped away from the cameras and did something few expected: they climbed into 'The Beast,' the U.S. presidential limousine, for a ten-minute private conversation with no aides, translators, or note-takers. That brief ride set the tone for what many observers thought could be a historic encounter—the first in-person Trump–Putin meeting in six years. What really happened inside 'The Beast'? The White House has released no transcript, no recording, not even a sanitized readout of what the presidents discussed in the heavily armored Cadillac. A senior U.S. official, speaking on background, described the exchange as 'cordial and free-flowing,' while Russian state media suggested Putin was 'visibly relaxed' during the ride. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo It wasn't the speeches, the flags, or the stage-managed handshake that defined the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. It was a quiet, 10-minute ride in the back of the U.S. president's armored limousine — just the two of them, no aides, no cameras — a private conversation that could shape the course of war and peace. Why does this matter? Because those ten minutes represented the only portion of the summit where both men could speak without the filter of diplomatic staff. As one former U.S. national security adviser told, 'What happens in that car is as important as what happens at the table. Without aides, they can float ideas, signal intent, and gauge each other's resolve in ways they cannot publicly.' Live Events The Alaska summit agenda: Ukraine, sanctions, and global order The formal session lasted two and a half hours. According to U.S. and Russian officials, discussions centered on three issues: Ukraine war and a possible ceasefire — Hopes were high that the Anchorage summit could produce at least a framework for negotiations. But no joint communiqué emerged, and both leaders avoided specifics in their post-meeting remarks. Sanctions relief and energy markets — Moscow pressed for easing of U.S.-led sanctions that have cut deeply into Russia's oil revenues. Trump, who campaigned on reshaping U.S. energy policy, hinted at 'flexibility,' but made no commitments. Nuclear stability and Arctic security — With both nations heavily invested in Arctic resources, the location of the summit was not accidental. Talks reportedly touched on naval patrols and the renewal of arms control protocols set to expire in 2026. Despite the weight of these topics, the summit ended without a breakthrough. Both presidents called it 'productive,' yet the absence of agreements was telling. Optics versus outcomes If diplomacy is theater, Trump and Putin know how to play their roles. The handshake on the tarmac, the unexpected limousine ride, even the long walk across the base under the Alaskan summer sun—these images dominated global headlines. But beyond the optics, the Anchorage summit showed the limitations of personal diplomacy. International markets reacted cautiously: the ruble gained slightly on speculation of sanctions relief, then retreated as it became clear no deal was struck. In Washington, lawmakers across party lines expressed frustration that Trump gave Putin a symbolic win without extracting concrete concessions. Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, were blunt. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had been received in Washington just days earlier, said in a televised address that 'the war cannot be ended in photo opportunities.' Why the private chat matters more than the official summit For many analysts, the most consequential moment wasn't the 150-minute closed-door session—it was the 10-minute unscripted drive in 'The Beast.' That choice carried at least three implications: Trump's trust in personal diplomacy — By meeting Putin alone, he reinforced his long-standing belief that he can achieve more through leader-to-leader rapport than bureaucratic channels. Strategic ambiguity — With no aides present, no one but Trump and Putin knows what was promised—or floated. That ambiguity can be useful in negotiations, but it also unsettles allies. Signal to global rivals and partners — The image of Trump and Putin speaking privately in a fortress on wheels sends a message: U.S.–Russia relations remain central to global order, whether allies like it or not. What comes next? The Anchorage summit leaves more questions than answers. Will Trump consider partial sanctions relief in exchange for a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine? Could Arctic cooperation open a back channel for renewed arms control agreements? And how will NATO allies interpret Trump's willingness to grant Putin a symbolic platform without a tangible U.S. win? Experts note that summits like this are rarely about immediate results. 'The measure isn't whether you get a signed deal that day,' said Fiona Hill, a former Russia adviser. 'It's whether you shape the trajectory of relations.' By that measure, Trump may have bought himself time to test Putin's flexibility while keeping Europe—and Kyiv—guessing. A symbolic ride, an uncertain future The Trump–Putin summit in Alaska will be remembered less for what was said at the press conference and more for what may have been exchanged in silence behind armored doors. The Beast, designed to protect the U.S. president from outside threats, became a vessel for intimate diplomacy. Whether that conversation becomes the seed of a new U.S.–Russia understanding—or simply another symbolic gesture—remains to be seen. What is clear is that Trump once again demonstrated his preference for spectacle and personal control, a style that keeps allies uneasy, adversaries intrigued, and the world guessing. FAQs: Q1: What did Trump and Putin discuss in The Beast during the Alaska summit? They spoke privately for about ten minutes, with no aides or transcripts, raising questions about what was promised or signaled. Q2: Did the Trump-Putin Alaska summit lead to any major agreements? No, the meeting ended without concrete deals, though both leaders called the talks 'productive.'
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Tesla Senior VP sells 82% shares, CEO Elon Musk says ‘If they don't….they will be…'
Tesla Senior Vice President Xiaotong Zhu, also known as Tom Zhu, has sold more than 82% of his Tesla holdings since 2023. According to securities filings, the sales took place between 2023 and 2024, with shares sold at prices ranging from $174 to $323 each. The move has raised questions about insider confidence in the company as CEO Elon Musk continues to warn short sellers. Replying to a post on X (formerly Twitter) with the le list of the current net short sellers of the EV maker, Musk said they would be 'obliterated' once Tesla reaches full autonomy. The Tesla CEO wrote: 'If they don't exit their short position before Tesla reaches autonomy at scale, they will be obliterated'. What is short selling Short selling is a trading practice used when investors believe a stock price will fall. An investor borrows shares of a company from a broker and sells them immediately at the current market price. Later, if the stock price drops, the investor buys back the same number of shares at the lower price, returns them to the broker, and keeps the difference as profit. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo For example, if someone borrows 10 Tesla shares at $300 each and sells them for $3,000, and the price later falls to $250, the investor can buy them back for $2,500, return the shares, and keep $500 as profit. The risk is that if the stock price rises instead of falling, the investor still has to buy back the shares at the higher price, which can lead to unlimited losses. This is why short selling is considered one of the riskiest trading strategies. When Elon Musk warned Bill Gates will go bankrupt Elon Musk's latest remarks add to his past clashes with short sellers, including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. The feud between the two originates from Gates' reportedly short position against Tesla stock. According to Walter Isaacson's 2023 biography of Musk, this position has allegedly cost Bill Gates a $1.5 billion loss. In the post on X last year, Musk said that 'If Tesla does become the world's most valuable company by far, that short position will bankrupt even Bill Gates'. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
