Two-wheelers are parked on the footpath under the SNDT Metro station on Karve Road
PMC data shows it has managed to develop only 31 of its 137 designated public parking reservations, leaving the remaining 106 on paper. Pune: PMRDA has sought eight parking sites along Metro corridors, including the newly launched Maan-Civil Court stretch via IT hub Hinjewadi, for the public transport users.
So parking facilities are a must near Metro routes,” said a senior official of PMRDA (Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority). Rajendra Thorat, a senior official of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), said, “We have shared our terms and conditions as well as options for compensation against lands with PMRDA. Commuters have been parking vehicles on roadsides or under elevated Metro corridors in the absence of dedicated parking lots, according to PMRDA officials. Parking facilities near stations will help in improving access to the Metro rail,” said Jugal Rathi of PMP Pravasi Manch.
“The demand for vehicular parking has gone up following the launch of Metro stretches. It will increase further in the days to come. Majority of them are in and around Baner and Balewadi. The future course of action will hinge on its response. This leads to traffic jams. Traffic experts stressed the availability of parking facilities near public transport facilities to discourage the use of private vehicles. But authorities have so far failed to facilitate it adequately. “Public transport should be promoted to reduce traffic jams and pollution. Authorities should make sure that public transport facilities are easily accessible and available.
PMC has designated 20 locations near Metro stations for development of parking space. The Metro network spans 33.2km across two routes — north–south Purple Line and east–west Aqua Line — encompassing 30 stations. A new 23km elevated corridor from Civil Court in Shivajinagar to Maan via Hinjewadi, comprising 23 stations, was launched on Wednesday.
Because reaching their final destination from the station concerned remains a major challenge, gauri Kulkarni, a regular Metro commuter, said, “Many people find it difficult to use Metro. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Pune | Silver Rate in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Petrol Price in Pune | Diesel Price in Pune | CNG Price in Pune | LPG Price in Pune Stay updated with the latest Pune news.
An official from PMC’s building permissions department said, “Parking sites at five locations have been constructed. Another senior civic official said negotiations were under way with private land proprietors. The lack of adequate public parking space near stations discourages people from choosing Metro over personal vehicles. The rest are currently being processed. Public awareness campaigns will begin as soon as these hubs become operational. Lands held by PMC and other public bodies would be prioritised, he added. Metro passengers urged authorities to expedite these projects. Providing sufficient parking near stations would substantially boost the Metro ridership, they added. Most of these currently lack parking spaces. Download the TOI App.