PMC Steps In To Solve Pune Metro Parking Crisis; Rs 5 Crore Plan To Solve Metro Parking Woes

Pune, 17th December 2024: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to address the growing parking woes faced by Pune Metro passengers. With both operational metro lines—Vanaz to Ramwadi and Pimpri-Chinchwad to Swargate—running at full capacity, the lack of designated parking facilities near most stations has caused chaos. Vehicles are being parked haphazardly in nearby areas, creating traffic congestion on already busy roads.

In response to the failure of Mahametro to provide sufficient parking spaces, the PMC has taken the initiative to resolve this issue. The civic body is now collecting data on available amenity spaces around metro stations, such as reserved areas for municipal services, PMPML depots, and truck terminals. A comprehensive plan will be developed to convert these spaces into functional parking lots, with a consultant being appointed to oversee the project.

The PMC has also announced a budgetary provision of ₹5 crore for the development of these parking spaces, raising hopes for a long-term solution to the parking crisis.

The issue surfaced as metro ridership began to rise significantly, with long queues of vehicles forming outside stations like Swargate and Ramwadi due to a lack of formal parking. Adding to the challenge, Mahametro’s new Swargate-to-Katraj line also lacks plans for dedicated parking facilities at its four stations.

Swargate Metro Station, in particular, has been a hotspot for passenger frustration. The existing parking space at the Swargate ST Bus Stand is restricted to bus travelers, leaving metro users with no option but to park on crowded streets. Some commuters have even expressed reluctance to use the metro service, citing the absence of parking as a major deterrent.

To address this, PMC’s Project Department has begun identifying and reserving land along the Swargate-Katraj metro corridor for parking purposes. The move aims to ensure seamless connectivity for metro users and reduce traffic disruptions caused by unorganized parking.

With PMC stepping in, the city’s commuters are hopeful for a smoother metro travel experience and a resolution to the ongoing parking dilemma.