Khushi Bhuta, Pune
In light of the inauguration of the final stretch of Pune metro connecting District Court and Swargate on Sunday, Pune metro has set up a new ridership target of 2 lakh passengers a day, up from the existing 1.5 lakh passengers a day.
The Pune Metro consists of two lines: PCMC to Swargate, covering 16.589 km, and Vanaz to Ramwadi, spanning 14.665 km, with a total of 31 stations, both elevated and underground. Currently serving around 1.5 lakh passengers daily, Pune Metro aims to increase this number to 2 lakh in the near term, with a long-term goal of reaching 6 lakh daily passengers once last-mile connectivity is fully in place.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the final section of Phase 1 of the Pune Metro, which links the District Court to Swargate. This 3.64-kilometre underground stretch includes stations at Budhwar Peth, Mandai, and Swargate, marking a historic achievement as it crosses beneath the Mutha River, a first for Pune’s infrastructure. This route offers vital connectivity for commuters traveling to and from the city’s core. Although the stations on this line are operational, currently, only one entry and exit point is available per station, with full functionality anticipated within a month.
To increase ridership, Pune Metro is collaborating with Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) to provide feeder services and is also exploring partnerships with auto rickshaw unions. While parking is currently free at Swargate, Budhwar Peth and Mandai are dealing with parking issues, though there are two PMC-operated parking lots near Mandai station.
The Managing Director (Works) of Pune metro, Atul Gadgil, said, “Although the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has projected a ridership of 6 lakh daily for the Pune Metro, that can be achieved only when multi-modal transport hubs and last-mile connectivity through feeder bus services and auto services are in place.”
Gadgil further mentioned that while the Swargate station on the Pune District Court to Swargate metro stretch offers a free parking facility, there is no available parking space in the Budhwar Peth area. He also noted that two PMC-managed parking lots are located near the Mandai metro station.