1 week Ago
Pune: Commuters and autorickshaw drivers want the Maha Metro , PMPML and PMC authorities to chalk out a proper plan to avoid traffic chaos on Jedhe Chowk ahead of the opening of the Swargate underground Metro station in the next few days. The demand follows the expectation of the commuters' footfall rising in the Swargate area after the opening of the Metro station. A commuter said there was no coordination between PMPML, MSRTC and autorickshaw services in the area.
"The entire boundary of the new Metro station is already occupied by stalls, while autorickshaws occupy the road stretches outside MSRTC bus terminus and PMPML bus stops," the commuter said. The Swargate Metro station , which is being developed as a multimodal hub, is coming up on Jedhe chowk. According to Maha Metro, four to five entry-exit points are planned at the station, of which an entry-exit on Satara Road (Jedhe Chowk) will be operational immediately.
"Two more crucial approach points, one each at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch and MSRTC bus terminus, will open in the next phase," a Maha Metro official said. Metro officials said they were working on various options with PMPML to streamline traffic movement near Metro station. "There is a plan to shift PMPML bus stops after the completion of the construction of the Metro station.
Two road links are also planned that will be aligned near the Metro station to help reduce congestion on Jedhe chowk," another Maha Metro official said. Visitors to Swargate Chowk said haphazard parking of autorickshaws had been a major hindrance to smooth vehicular movement in the area. Responding, autorickshaw drivers said they did not have dedicated space.
"The entry-exit point outside PMPML bus stop is already facing traffic chaos," Ajay Shinde, an autorickshaw driver, said. Sanjay Satav, who travels from Swargate's MSRTC bus terminus, said reaching the terminus had become a task. "There are no dedicated channels to cross Satara Road to reach the terminus.
Metro commuters will have to come to the main road and cross it to reach the MSRTC terminus. A subway planned from the Metro station to MSRTC bus terminus should be ready at the earliest," Satav said. As per the plan, Maha Metro is eyeing the opening of Metro services till Swargate in the next couple of weeks.
Three stations to be opened for commercial use include Swargate, Mandai and Kasba Peth. Maha Metro has said at least one entry-exit point would be operational at each station at the time of inauguration. Entry-exits plans at Swargate Metro Station Outside PMPML bus stop on Satara Road Direct connection to MSRTC bus terminus through a subway from the Metro station Ganesh Kala Krida Manch PMPML bus depot Commuters Want Open the subway on priority connecting metro and MSRTC Provide dedicated slots for autorickshaws to restrict haphazard halting Prepare a proper plan for commuters' movement Clear encroachment along the metro station wall.
