‘Men should not be allowed in seats reserved for women in PMPML buses’

Based on the survey,a dialogue between administrators and citizens was organised at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Cultural Auditorium on Saturday in which representatives of Aalochana,Arogya Sena,Akhil Bharatiya Janawadi Mahila Sanghatana,Asha participated.

“Even though the PMPML administration has kept reserved seats on the left side of the buses,the conductor cannot always keep an eye on them. Since his main job is to issue tickets and collect money,it is difficult for him. The women commuters as well as co-passengers should raise a voice if any male passenger is encroaching upon the reserved space. Even though the PMPML administration cannot do much about the eve-teasing incidents per se,we will have to think about appointing flying squads to curb such incidents,” PMPML spokesperson Deepak Pardeshi said.

“Many a times,even if the conductor takes the bus to police chowkies,women do not come forward to register complaints against the encroachers,” he added

Sanyogita Dhamdhere of Centre For Advocacy and Research,said,“Eighteen organisations together had run a signature campaign with a list of five demands forwarded to PMPML. The demands include a helpline for women who face sexual abuse while commuting,special buses for women on certain routes and increasing frequency of buses,permission for women and old people to board the buses from the front doors,so that the incidents could be curbed.”