PUNE: City’s traffic chaos has to be tackled quickly on a priority basis. A planned budget presented by the standing committee of PMC (Pune Municipal Corporation) for 2011- 12 suggested few points. The foremost included an exclusive AC bus service for IT professionals, a separate bus service to Pune airport, and bicycles to all students studying from STD VII to X absolutely free.

Standing committee chairman Arvind Shinde said, “Peak-hour traffic in Pune is a problem, and the civic body is putting efforts to make roads congestion free. I have proposed the idea of special air-conditioned bus services, especially for IT professionals. The PMPML will provide 25 buses pick and drop service in various parts of the city to IT professionals. These buses will comprise of LCD screens, cell phone and laptop charging facilities”. He was speaking while tabling the outlined budget before the general body (GB) on Tuesday.

Shinde has made a stipulation of Rs 12.50 crore for the buses and considering the requirements, rest of the provisions will be made. The bus services he proposed mainly include buses from Warje, Kothrud, Katraj, Hinjewadi and other parts to the airport. Another Rs 25 crore provision for the PMPML to develop the existing fleet was also prepared.

Shinde also put forth the idea of providing free bicycles to students from STD VII to X. “To encourage the usage of bicycles, I have also proposed this scheme and made a budget of Rs 4 crore. Although free PMPML pass scheme is in place”, Shinde added.

Two more draft budgets were also proposed. It included provision of Rs 25 crore for the ring road and Rs 20 crore for flyover construction in different parts of the city. “Few particular provisions have been made for elevated roads at Senapati Bapat road and subway near the court premises in Shivajinagar”, said Shinde.

Adding to it, Rs 2 crore has been kept aside to promote rickshaw drivers/ owners to switch over to CNG. Before ending, Shinde has also proposed two-wheeler driving training for city youths.

- Anuja Bagaitkar