E-Paper
PMPML gets 20th CMD, Singh transferred within 3 months
The state government on Monday removed Sachindra Pratap Singh as PMPML CMD. He relinquished his three-month office to IAS officer Sanjay Kolte who will be the 20th official to head the public transport body
Pune: The state government on Monday removed Sachindra Pratap Singh as Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) chairman and managing director (CMD). He relinquished his three-month office to IAS officer Sanjay Kolte who will be the 20th official to head the public transport body.
Since the formation of PMPML in 2007, only one officer has completed a three-year-tenure.
As per the information given by the state government, Singh has been transferred as the state commissioner for persons with disabilities. Kolte’s previous posting was as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Pune Smart City Development Corporation Limited (PSCDCL).
Singh had taken charge of PMPML in July 2023 from Om Prakash Bakoria who helmed the office for less than a year.
Only RN Joshi, who was the CMD in 2012, headed the office for the complete term. In March 2017, Tukaram Munde was transferred as CMD to PMPML from Navi Mumbai municipal commissioner post. Since then, none of the CMDs were able to work at least for a year except Nayana Gunde who completed 3 years at the post. After Munde and Gunde, Rajendra Jagtap, Kunal Khemnar, Laxminarayan Mishra, Omprakash Bakoria and Sachindra Pratap Singh held the top post.
The transport body was divided between two cities, Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, with names Pune Municipal Transport (PMT) formed in 150 and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Transport (PCMT) in 1974 respectively. PMT and PCMT was merged in 2007 and IAS officer post for CMD was created. PMPML’s first CMD Subbarao Patil worked at the position for 15 months.
Jugal Rathi, president, PMP Pravasi Manch, said, “PMPML has seen 20 heads in 16 years. The frequent change in top post adversely impacts the functioning of public transport utility. It’s unfortunate that Punekars are not getting a good, stable and affordable public transport service for many years.”
