Subway from Swargate Metro station to MSRTC bus terminus set to open in May

1 2 3 Pune: Work on a key subway connecting the Swargate Metro station to the MSRTC bus stand at Jedhe Chowk has reached its final stages. Maha Metro aims to open up the amenity for commuters in May. The subway will start from the Metro station and have a direct opening on the premises of Swargate ST bus terminus.

This will enable commuters to access both facilities without negotiating road traffic. At present, commuters need to cross Jedhe Chowk and Satara Road amidst a chaotic mix of buses, private vehicles, and autorickshaws. Barricades installed outside the bus terminus hamper pedestrians and also restrict vehicular movement.



Daily commuter Sujay Malkar said he expected the subway to be functional at the beginning of 2025. "Swargate Metro station opened in Oct 2024. Six months later, the subway is still shut.

Metro users are forced to cross the road to reach the bus terminus or Metro station. It is time-consuming and risky," he said. Maha Metro sources said work progressed slowly as the traffic police did not allow closure of Jedhe Chowk, considering the huge flow of vehicles through it.

So, Maha Metro had to reschedule the work in five phases. A Metro official told TOI, "It was challenging. But our technical teams worked out an alternative plan.

We look forward to finishing the remaining work by mid-May. It is unlikely that traffic closure will be needed for the remaining work." Issues of safety and seamless movement of commuters at MSRTC's Swargate bus terminus have also been in focus after an incident of rape at the facility last month.

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