Metro opens underpass in Swargate, but work on another entry-exit gate drags on

Pune: Maha Metro on Saturday opened an underpass connecting the Swargate Metro station to the MSRTC bus terminus, offering much-needed relief to people frequenting the busy area. Commuters, however, expressed dissatisfaction over the slow progress of another key entry-exit point that would provide access toward Ganesh Kala Krida Manch and Sarasbaug, saying the work on this access point should be completed before monsoon.
Swargate, the originating station for the Swargate-PCMC Metro corridor, is among the busiest on both routes. The Metro administration is developing the station precinct as a multimodal transit hub. Of the three planned entry-exit points, two are currently operational.Taking cognizance of commuters' demand, Maha Metro officials said work on the Ganesh Kala Krida Manch entry-exit had been accelerated, though completion was still a few months away. "The newly opened underpass offers seamless connectivity between the Metro station and the MSRTC terminus, allowing passengers to access bus services without navigating road traffic," an official said.Several passengers who used the Swargate station and MSRTC terminus on Saturday said they were unaware that the underpass had opened. "The Metro administration should install clear signage guiding commuters to the new facility," a passenger said.Manoj Ingale, a traveller from the MSRTC terminus, said the authorities should also create a dedicated pathway to ensure hassle-free access to the underpass.Regular Metro users have also renewed their demand for a parking facility at the Swargate station. Narendra Raut, one such user, said since Swargate was the originating point for the corridor, a parking lot was essential so that passengers can park their two-wheelers and cars. "Such a facility should remain functional at least till last-mile connectivity in the area improves," he said.The commuters have also sought strict action against illegally parked autorickshaws around the station and at Swargate Chowk.Shivajinagar, PCMC Metro stations get new entry-exit pointsMaha Metro has opened additional entry-exit points at the Shivajinagar and PCMC Metro stations. At Shivajinagar, an underpass has been built from Shimla Office Chowk to the station's concourse level. At the PCMC station, commuters can now access the opposite side of the road without having to cross traffic. Passengers, however, have urged authorities to install clear signboards to make these new facilities easier to locate.Metro may increase train frequency after Shivajinagar-Hinjewadi line opensMaha Metro on Saturday indicated that train frequencies on the existing PCMC-Swargate and Vanaz-Ramwadi routes might be increased once the Shivajinagar-Hinjewadi line became operational. "The new line is in its final stages, with trial runs currently in progress. Although the launch date has not been announced, we expect the remaining work to be completed soon, allowing services to begin," an official said.For now, there are no immediate plans to increase frequency on the two active routes. Commuters have suggested two possible improvements: increasing train frequency on the current lines or adding more coaches to the existing three-coach trains.