Pune, parking issues, railway station, Pune redevelopment, commuter struggles, station parking, traffic congestion, Hadapsar station, Khadki station, infrastructure delays
Pune commuters continue to face mounting challenges with the inadequate parking facilities at Pune railway station, particularly as overcrowding and poor management disrupt daily routines. A recent incident highlighted the distress of a Bavdhan resident who, after dropping his brother at the station, returned to find his car hemmed in by haphazardly parked vehicles.
With no space to move and no help available, the resident was forced to wait helplessly for nearly half an hour until the driver of the car in front finally appeared. This parking chaos is not limited to just four-wheelers. Two-wheeler owners also find themselves grappling with inadequate space and mismanagement. Another commuter shared a troubling experience where his bike, left in the already cramped parking lot, was missing upon his return. After threatening to lodge a complaint, the parking attendant found the bike parked in a different spot. These repeated incidents highlight the systemic issues plaguing the station’s parking arrangements. Despite growing concerns from commuters, relief from these parking woes seems distant.
Railway officials have shifted their focus to the redevelopment of Hadapsar and Khadki railway stations, leaving Pune station’s parking facilities at the bottom of the priority list. According to a Pune railway division official, the redevelopment of these two stations is currently underway, and until that is completed, work on the Pune station’s yard remodelling will not commence.
The Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA) initially took charge of the Pune station redevelopment project, but the Railway Board recently transferred the task to the Pune division. While planning is underway, no concrete dates have been set for the much-needed work at Pune station. Experts say that the remodelling of the station yard, which has been in the pipeline since 2016, will not move forward until the redevelopments at Hadapsar and Khadki are finished. Though railway officials had previously suggested that the Pune station’s parking lot would be revamped once redevelopment work began, there has been little progress. The delay in implementing the much-anticipated Pune yard remodelling project has frustrated commuters, especially as promises of improvements have not materialised.
In August of last year, officials had indicated that a new contract would be awarded for station upgrades, including parking, as soon as the existing contract ends in September 2025. However, with the current focus on Hadapsar and Khadki, those waiting for a solution to Pune station’s parking crisis may have to wait longer. In a city where transportation is a daily necessity for thousands of commuters, the ongoing parking issues at Pune railway station are becoming a pressing concern. While the redevelopment of other stations progresses, the lack of immediate action at Pune raises questions about how infrastructure improvements are prioritised.
As the city looks to become a hub for sustainable urban growth, addressing these infrastructural challenges is essential for maintaining a quality commuter experience. With both residents and visitors dependent on efficient and reliable parking systems, resolving these issues will be key in ensuring a seamless travel experience for everyone.
