The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) have announced a significant initiative aimed at creating dedicated parking zones near metro stations along the 23-kilometre Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar route.
This move is expected to ease the parking woes of metro users, improve last-mile connectivity, and ultimately encourage more citizens to opt for public transport. In total, 10 parking zones will be developed, eight of which fall within the PMC jurisdiction, while the remaining two are located within PMRDA limits. These parking spaces will be built within a 500-metre radius of key metro stations along the high-traffic corridor, ensuring that commuters can park their vehicles close to the stations, facilitating a seamless transition to metro travel. This initiative forms part of the broader efforts to enhance Pune’s public transport system by providing integrated solutions for first- and last-mile connectivity.
The project will cover prime locations across the city, including high-density areas such as Balewadi and Baner. As per reports from officials, the PMC will allocate a total of 13,051 square meters of land for the parking developments. These spaces are expected to be developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with preliminary surveys and planning already in motion. The new parking zones will cater not only to cars but also to two-wheelers and other forms of personal transport, thus addressing the diverse needs of metro commuters. The 23-kilometre Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar Metro route, which is currently being constructed at an estimated cost of ₹8,500 crore, is expected to play a pivotal role in reshaping Pune’s transport landscape. With 23 stations planned along the route, 14 of these stations fall under PMC jurisdiction. The focus of the project is not just on the metro stations but also on improving accessibility, particularly in areas with limited parking space, where commuters often resort to on-street parking, causing congestion and increasing the risk of accidents.
Among the identified locations for parking development are Balewadi Stadium, Baner Gaon, and Amar Tech Park. These areas have been chosen for their proximity to metro stations, ensuring that commuters can easily switch from private vehicles to public transport. Officials have confirmed that work will soon begin on the eight amenity spaces under PMC jurisdiction, and joint meetings between the PMC’s Property and Project Departments and PMRDA officials are already underway to streamline the execution process. While the infrastructure for these parking zones is being developed, the details of the parking fee structure have yet to be finalised. Past experiences with parking fees in metro-related projects have led to public backlash, with complaints about excessive charges. To avoid repeating such issues, citizens have urged that parking fees should be affordable and not exceed the cost of a metro ticket, ensuring that the initiative remains accessible for all.
This new initiative also aims to address the ongoing delays in implementing Pune’s comprehensive parking policy. Although the policy was announced some time ago, its slow pace of execution has led to frustration among commuters and residents. The development of dedicated parking facilities near metro stations is, therefore, a timely intervention that could help revive the city’s long-delayed parking strategy and bring about much-needed relief to the growing number of metro users. Commuters and residents in areas like Baner, Balewadi, and surrounding localities have welcomed the move, expressing optimism that it will alleviate the perennial problem of on-street parking and congestion. With these new facilities in place, it is expected that the accessibility of the metro system will be greatly improved, further encouraging people to choose public transport over private vehicles. This, in turn, will contribute to reducing Pune’s carbon footprint, promoting a more sustainable and eco-friendly urban mobility system.
The PMC and PMRDA’s efforts to develop parking facilities near metro stations align with the city’s broader goals of improving public transport infrastructure and supporting sustainable urban development. However, the true success of this initiative will depend on the timely execution of the plans, reasonable pricing, and continued efforts to expand parking facilities along other metro corridors as the city’s transport network grows. In conclusion, the new parking zones represent a significant step forward in addressing the challenges of urban mobility in Pune. With the metro project poised to transform the city’s public transport landscape, ensuring that commuters have convenient access to parking will be crucial in making the metro a viable and attractive option for daily travel.
As the city moves towards a more sustainable future, such initiatives will play a key role in shaping the urban environment and improving the quality of life for its residents.
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New Parking Facilities for Pune Metro Commuters Announced by PMC
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