NMMT TAKES ACTION AGAINST 17 EMPLOYEES FOR MISBEHAVING

NAVI MUMBAI: In a clear message to its staff that misconduct will not be accepted by the administration, the Navi Mumbai Municipal transport (NMMT) has taken disciplinary action against 17 errant bus drivers and conductors for misbehaving while on duty.

The action was based on complaints of rash driving, not halting at designated stops, rude behaviour by conductors for not tendering exact change, etc. by commuters. Following this, nine out of 17 employees were asked to go on compulsory leave, while eight others have been reprimanded for their behaviour, NMMT chairman Anwar Shaikh said.

In order to help commuters report their complaints, chairman Anwar Shaikh had displayed his personal numbers on all buses and had asked commuters to directly message their problems to him.

“Commuters can message their problems to me on the numbers that are displayed. They should also include the bus number, route, time and exact incident. An inquiry will be initiated following the complaint and will be followed with the necessary punishment if the driver or conductor is found guilty,” said Shaikh, adding that regular offenders will be dealt with strictly.

The move by the chairman has been welcomed by the public after months of complaints regarding the poor quality of services and the lackadaisical approach to commuters’ problem. “There has been a drastic change in the services by NMMT in the recent past,” said Shri Ram Bhosale, a Vashi resident.