In February 2012 Parisar pushed the Pune Municipal Corporation to allocate a sum of Rs 2 crores in the city budget for PMPML to make a business plan. Parisar strongly felt that unless PMPML prepared a comprehensive action plan to address the structural issues in the organization and set well articulated goals, it would continue to struggle to provide good service to the citizens of the Pune Metropolitan Region. Since its formation by the merger of the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Transport companies, it has struggled to provide both the quantity and quality of the service needed.
Parisar has worked with ITDP to help PMPML draft the Request for Proposal (RFP) for appointment of a consultant to make a business plan. The RFP stresses the need for widespread public consultations to help decide a vision for PMPML and also feedback on the draft plan before it is finalized. The involvement of stakeholders is expected to create the public pressure that will be needed to ensure that the business plan is actually implemented and not just gather dust on a shelf.
Parisar also pushed for the draft RFP to be made public, so as to get comments from the public. The publication of the RFP is a critical step in ensuring transparency in the entire process, since the terms and conditions in the RFP will ultimately determine how the consultant is selected and the manner in which the business plan will be made.
Both the PMC and PMPML have published the draft RFP on its website and invited suggestions from the public. Parisar also actively sought inputs from some key stakeholders, including potential bidders. Parisar is also pushing PMPML to appoint an expert committee for the duration when the consultants will be engaged.
Media coverage:
20-year-plan to lift Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited from slump - Times of India, 03/12/2013