Pune : As the Pune Metro witnesses a surge in commuter footfall, concerns regarding parking availability have come to the forefront, prompting authorities to take action. The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited, responsible for executing the Pune Metro project, has expedited efforts to establish parking solutions for commuters using both corridors of the Pune Metro in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Acknowledging the concerns raised by commuters grappling with parking woes at metro stations, officials have embarked on collaborative measures to tackle the issue.
A recent meeting convened between officials of the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) commissioners has resulted in a decision to collaboratively develop parking facilities in proximity to the metro stations on both corridors. Shravan Hardikar, Chairman and Managing Director of MahaMetro, shared this development with The Indian Express.
Highlighting the fact that the original Detailed Project Report (DPR) did not incorporate provisions for parking facilities, MahaMetro officials clarified that the notion of multi-modal development management was absent at the time of drafting. However, as part of the revised design, the multi-modal concept is being integrated, and the focus is shifting towards multi-modal integration, as stated by Hardikar.
Nine locations have been identified across both corridors where parking infrastructure will be developed. These spaces, previously unutilized during the station’s development, will undergo pilot parking infrastructure projects. In Pune, this includes areas near Shivajinagar and the civil court, while in Pimpri-Chinchwad, similar facilities will be developed near the PCMC headquarters and Vallabhnagar.
Hardikar emphasized that efforts are initially directed towards accommodating two-wheeler commuters. The transition of four-wheeler users to the metro service is anticipated to be a gradual process, requiring systematic infrastructure development. The objective is to encourage two-wheeler riders to transition to the metro system first, followed by an eventual adoption by four-wheeler owners.
As the Pune Metro progresses, the proactive measures taken to address parking challenges underscore the commitment of authorities to provide a seamless and efficient commuting experience for the growing number of passengers.
