Pune: Neglected Pimpri Railway Station Raises Concerns Amid PCMC’s Smart City Transformation

Pimpri, 2nd October 2023: As Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) advances toward becoming a Smart City with enhanced citizen facilities, the city is growing in popularity. However, Pimpri railway station, located in Udyog Nagar, remains mired in issues. The railway administration’s apparent neglect of the station is causing inconvenience for railway passengers.

Pimpri railway station plays a crucial role as a transit point for thousands of daily passengers travelling to Pune, Lonavala, and other destinations. While long-distance trains do not make stops at Pimpri railway station, the Pune-Lonavala local and Sinhagad express trains serve as essential connectors, attracting substantial passenger traffic. This includes professionals, students, employees, tourists, and more. As train travel remains an affordable option for the common people, the local trains are often crowded. Despite the station’s recent beautification, a lack of attention from the railway administration has led to increased disruptions caused by children, youth, and residents of nearby slums who deface the station, causing inconvenience to passengers.

Seating arrangements at the station are often occupied by many people, making it difficult for local train passengers to find seats. Unauthorized hawkers consuming gutkha and spitting on the tracks and in the station area further contribute to the station’s disrepair, resulting in inconvenience for railway passengers. Unauthorized sellers have also become increasingly common.

Another pressing issue is the rise in the number of stray dogs in and around Pimpri railway station, making passengers feel unsafe. These dogs sometimes run among passengers, causing particular concern for women and nighttime travellers. The railway administration needs to implement security measures at the station to address these concerns.

Additionally, illegal parking remains a persistent issue, as citizens park their two-wheelers, four-wheelers, and rickshaws in front of the gate leading to Pimpri village and Pune-Mumbai highway instead of using designated parking areas. This unruly parking situation continues to be ignored by the railway administration, perpetuating the problem.