Hinjewadi Last Mile Plan Targets Safer Daily Travel
Pune: A new mobility package for Hinjewadi, Maan and Marunji proposes more than 19 km of last-mile connections around metro stations, alongside road, drainage, water and power upgrades. The plan signals a shift from treating congestion as a road-building problem to addressing how thousands of workers and residents move between homes, workplaces and public transport every day.
The Hinjewadi last mile plan covers links extending roughly 500 metres to 1.5 km from metro stations. Proposed streets would include continuous footpaths, cycle tracks, tactile surfaces for people with visual impairments, safer crossings, lighting and wayfinding. The objective is to make the journey to and from rapid transit usable without requiring a private vehicle for the final stretch. The package follows the creation of a state-level task force to address infrastructure constraints in the region. Officials have identified ₹426 crore for internal road improvements within Hinjewadi’s information technology district, while six development-plan roads across Hinjewadi, Maan and Marunji are also being taken up for consideration. Traffic management will be part of the immediate response. Heavy vehicles transporting construction materials are proposed to be restricted from internal roads during morning and evening peaks. That could provide some short-term relief, but transport planners caution that restrictions alone cannot resolve congestion if employment growth continues faster than public transport capacity.
The more significant element is the proposed integration of different modes. Bus stops, feeder and shuttle services, auto-rickshaw stands, bus bays, bicycle sharing and designated station parking are being considered around metro access points. The Hinjewadi last mile plan will succeed only if these services operate as one connected system, with reliable timings and safe transfers. Infrastructure below the road is also being considered alongside the surface network. Proposed road works are expected to accommodate stormwater drains, water and sewerage networks and dedicated utility corridors for electricity and fibre-optic cables. Such coordination can reduce repeated excavation, an often-overlooked source of road damage, traffic disruption and public expenditure. The area’s infrastructure deficit extends beyond transport. Authorities are examining additional water supply options and land requirements for a new electricity substation as demand rises. Waste management is also being transferred to the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, while additional surveillance infrastructure is planned for public safety.
For a major employment district, the economic case for better connectivity is clear. But the larger urban test is whether new infrastructure reduces dependence on cars rather than simply making space for more traffic. Walking, cycling and reliable feeder services need to be treated as essential components of the transport network. The next phase will depend on execution, coordination and maintenance. If the proposed investments are delivered as an integrated network, Hinjewadi could move closer to a more accessible employment district. If individual projects advance without that coordination, the region’s infrastructure gaps may simply shift from roads to the last mile.
