Date : 7th November 2014

Kind Attn : Mr. Pinaki Misra,

Chairperson, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Urban Development,
Lok Sabha Secretariat, Sansad Bhavan, New Delhi 110 01

Sub : Irregularities & delays in project management & execution of BRTS under NURM in Pune Municipal
Corporation that has resulted in waste of public funds, incorrect execution, safety & security issues

Dear Sir,

I am given to believe that the Committee will be on a study visit to Pune between 6th & 12 November 2014.
I am taking the liberty to write to you because of three main reasons :

(a) As part of the mandate given by Parliament, the Committee is constituted to ensure the acountability
of the Government to Parliament through more detailed consideration of measures in these committees
(b) Further, this Committee is a critical check to the Executive
(c) As the major funding is from Central Government, it plays an important role in monitoring and co-ordinating
the execution of JnNURM projects so that the final outcome is useful to the citizens and not just an exercise
to use up / waste public funds

Pune Municipal Corporation, the erstwhile Central and State Government have displayed complete lack of
responsibility, ownership, vision of project planning along with mismanagement, misuse, irregularity of funds
essentially in Bus Rapid Transit System projects funded under JnNURM as follows :
1. Non – compliance of the objective of NUTP 2006 for promoting Public Transport, Non-Motorised Vehicles,
pedestrian ways, cycle tracks, etc
2. Complete disregard for NURM guidelines, agreements, preparation of DPR for implementation and
execution of successful HQBRT which would increase footfalls.
3. Although indicated on paper to NURM, CVTC or District Level re-constituted reform, review &
Monitoring have not met. TAG has never been formed. Despite this, funds have been
released by both Central and State Govt.
4. QPRs posted on PMC’s website and reports by SLNA give incorrect information compared to ground reality
5. No consideration visible for pedestrian & commuter safety issues
6. Complete deviation from seven basic features of globally accepted & successful BRT such as exclusive
uninterrupted bus ways, ITS, bus transfer stations, inconsistent footpaths & cycle tracks, safe commuter
crossing, pre-board fare collection, frequent & quality bus service to increase footfalls, etc
7. No completion certificate for Pilot Project even after 4 years of completion
 8. No enquiry committee constituted by the State Govt after recommendations from Maharashtra State
Assembly Estimate Committee Report of Nov 2011 to look into irregularities, illegalities committed and to
take action against those responsible for the low standard of work executed viz. Pilot Project
9. After utilisation of Rs. 130 crores, 4 years later Pilot Project which is supposed to promote efficient
public transport, has been cannabalised thereby resulting in untold commuter trauma, to make way for
flyovers & grade-separators at the cost of Rs. 200 + crores which are essentially for private vehicles
10. Even after two years, Phase-1 corridor at the cost of Rs. 1100 crores is nowhere complete thereby
causing untold trauma to all citizens. Now ULB claims that they have run out of funds to install ITS, acquire
land, provide bus transfer stations, parking lots, so BRTS will be rolled out in the absence of all these value
additions. Without this, it is just a standard normal bus service in which case there is no need to have it in
the median and superficially call it ‘BRTS’.

Above is just the tip of the iceberg, which is a result of numerous RTIs filed and documents received / not received
from MoUD, Mah State Govt and PMC.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Urban Development has to definitely take immediate note of this as
public money funding pattern of 50% Centre : 25% State : 25% ULB defines involvement of all three.

It is certainly within the profile and mandate of SCoUD to push for an enquiry commission to be immediately
constituted to investigate the irregularities, misuse, mismanagement and misappropriation of public funds.

If SCoUD decides to take this ahead, then I would be in a position to provide all supporting documents, photographs,
Communication, engagement & meetings with the Pune (ULB) over two years.

I look forward to a call from you in case you are part of the study visit to Pune.
If not, a response is requested within 15th November 2014 in order to know your stance.

Thanking you. Yours sincerely,

Qaneez Sukhrani
Convenor – BRT Cell: Nagrik Chetna Manch, Pune
Cell – 9822056782 / 8975856782