600 Women From 6 Districts Raised Money To Buy A Transport Company And Leased Out 44 Buses To PMPML

In order to earn an extra income, the wives of 600 former defence personnel from six different districts of Maharashtra came together via self-help groups (SHGs) to set up a transportation company and how! The gang pooled in their resources and raised enough money to buy 44 buses and then leased them out to Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML). And guess what, the buses are all set to ply the streets of Pune from this Sunday! Hooray!

Pic Credit: The Indian Express

These champion women contributed their very own savings, some took bank loans and some are awaiting financial assistance from the state Sainik Welfare Board. 44 SHGs bought one bus each under their transport company- Vishwa Yodha Shetkari Multi Trade Pvt Ltd which is based out of Satara district. The best part is that the company has already signed an agreement with PMPML to ply their buses for the next seven years, with an average distance of 6,000 km per month at a fixed rate. How cool is that?

“This will help wives of former defence personnel to earn additional income and simultaneously help the PMPML ply more buses for local residents in the Pune metropolitan region,” said Colonel (retired) R R Jadhav, officiating director of state Department of Sainik Welfare. On the other hand, Manisha Gujar, president of Vakratund Maji Sainik Mahila Swayamsahayatta Bachat Gatt in Jaitapur in Satara, said “There are some small projects which help us earn, but the bus initiative has increased our hopes about earning a substantial amount. It was difficult to convince all the members to participate in the initiative, but later everyone contributed towards it.” 

Pic Credit: Hemant Auto Clickz

While the company will get a lower rental amount from PMPML, they have accepted the terms and undertaken the services without a tender process. As the public transport in the city is slowing getting back to its normalcy, all 44 busses will be inducted in the PMPML feet in phases, and the first one kickstart this Sunday. Currently, the PMPML has allotted a separate bus depot at Gujarwadi near Katraj for parking buses. This is a matter of pride and joy, people! 

News Source: The Indian Express