When will Mumbai’s public transport system improve?
The 4 days incessant rains in Mumbai not only exposed the negligent work of the BMC, but it also exposed the poor maintenance of the public transport system. Surprisingly, the government, on the one hand, appeals to use public transport like buses and local trains to solve the traffic jam menace. But, the bitter truth is that the maintenance of public transport is pathetic.
Mumbaikars experienced the poor service of the public transport system during the recent deluge. Tired of waiting for the suburban services to resume, many Mumbaikars stranded at the various suburban stations had to opt for the public transport system to reach home. However, due to limited buses, the plight of even the buses was similar to local trains, i.e. overcrowded with many commuters risking their life and limb by hanging on the footboard and by the doors. The sight was horrible and painful.
The BMC which is regarded as the richest civic body in entire Asia tragically has money only for its politicians who run the Municipal Corporation. If the BMC was concerned for its citizens, then wasn’t it the duty of the civic body and the state government to arrange additional buses and another public transport system to rescue the lakhs of Mumbaikars living in the suburbs and marooned in the city? Alas, no help was received by Mumbaikars either from BMC or the state government.
What is most agonising is that the weather bureau had forecast the climate well in advance yet the administration was not ready to tackle the crisis. Many disappointed Mumbaikars lamented that they pay huge money to purchase public transport tickets but, alas, during a natural calamity like heavy rainfall when they desperately need the services of the public transport, regrettably the public transport services are unavailable. At such odd hours when Mumbaikars are trapped in the city, they have to resort to the private mode of transport combination and these private services like autos and taxis take maximum advantage and loot the poor Mumbaikars.
Home Times hopes the BMC and state government would understand the woes of Mumbaikars and promise to improve the efficiency of public transport during the next deluge.
