PUNE:
The hub is being developed by a third-party contractor and there is a parking facility at the ground level. We will ask the contractor to allow commuters to use the parking space. Commuters in turn are questioning why a facility meant to support public transport remains unavailable to those actually using the metro. “People are being encouraged to use the metro to avoid traffic, but there is no proper place to park vehicles at the station. Proper parking should have been made operational along with the metro services. Meanwhile, haphazard parking on roads is creating difficulty for smooth movement of traffic around the busy Swargate junction. “Swargate is already one of the busiest traffic points in the city. If metro commuters are forced to park on roads, it will only add to the problem.
The Pune Metro will extend usual operations by two hours on Sunday, November 8, on the occasion of Lakshmi Puja, following requests from commuters; the metro administration said. From Monday, November 9, metro services will resume as per the regular schedule of 6 am to 11 pm; officials said.
Atul Gadgil, director (works), Maha-Metro, said, “We have completed the metro structure at Swargate. A Maha-Metro official, however, said, “At present, the contractor is using the parking facility and commuters do not have access to it. I had to leave my two-wheeler on the road and worry about its safety while travelling,” said a commuter from the Swargate area. Another commuter said, “If parking is available within the metro hub but commuters are not allowed to use it, there is little justification for leaving the space inaccessible. The authorities need to make the existing parking facility available instead of waiting for a new solution,” said a passenger on condition of anonymity.
