Pune Bus Stations Lack Female Guards, Audit Recommends Urgent Fixes

Pune, 10th March 2025: In the wake of the shocking rape incident at Swargate bus depot, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has conducted a security audit of 42 bus stations in 14 depots across Pune district. A three-member committee formed by the MSRTC has recommended the mandatory appointment of female security guards at these stations to enhance passenger safety.

Following instructions from the state government, the security audit report was submitted on March 4. The report highlights that no female security guards are currently deployed at any of these 42 bus stations across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and rural areas. The committee has suggested deploying six female security guards at each major bus station and two to three female guards at smaller stations.

The audit revealed a lack of security mechanisms at major bus stations like Swargate, Wakdewadi, and Baramati:
Swargate and Wakdewadi stations each have only 23 security guards and 24 CCTV cameras.
Baramati bus station has 42 CCTV cameras.
Bus stations in rural areas have just eight CCTV cameras each, with an urgent need to increase surveillance.
Additionally, security walls in rural bus stations—including Narayangaon, Indapur, Bhor, Daund, Baramati, MIDC Shirur, Vallabhnagar, Manchar, Rajgurunagar, Talegaon Dabhade, and Saswad—were found to be in poor condition and below the required height. This has led to stray animals entering stations, thefts, and unauthorized movement of private vehicles. The report has recommended raising and repairing these security walls.

Pramod Nehul, Divisional Controller, MSRTC Pune, stated:
“The security audit has identified a shortage of CCTV cameras and security personnel at several major bus stations. Recommendations have been made to address these gaps. Security measures will be strengthened based on passenger flow, and necessary actions will be taken once the state government approves the recommendations.”

Key Recommendations of the Security Audit
180 security guards are currently deployed across 42 stations in Pune district.
Security personnel are hired through private agencies.
No female security guards are currently stationed at bus depots.
Mandatory appointment of female security guards in every bus station:
Six female guards at major bus stations.
Two to three female guards at smaller stations.
Increase in CCTV cameras, additional 40 security guards, and improvements to security walls.
With these measures, the MSRTC aims to enhance passenger safety and prevent future security lapses at bus stations across Pune district.