Pune : A survey is currently being conducted in the vicinity of Metro stations to identify suitable spaces for conversion into parking lots. 

Additionally, the process of transferring the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) only mechanised parking lot on J.M. Road to Maha Metro has commenced.

As per the information received, the corporation approached Maha Metro approximately three years ago regarding the takeover of the facility. 

However, due to lockdown and other restrictions, the plan was not executed. With the extension of metro routes, the demand for parking spaces has increased, and the mechanised parking lot can now be utilised by metro commuters.

A committee comprising civic and Metro officials has been formed to identify suitable parking areas near other Metro stations. Some locations have already been finalised, while others will be identified soon. The demand for parking has increased since the extension of Metro services, with daily ridership reaching 80,000–100,000 on holidays and weekends and footfall varying between 30,000 and 40,000 on weekdays.

While talking to Pune Pulse, Hemant Sonawane, Pune Metro’s Public Relations Officer, added, ”Parking spaces have been made available at Vanaj, Phugewadi, Sant Tukaram Nagar, and Civil Court. We will jointly decide with PMC and make arrangements for more marking space if they provide us with a plot. Maximum efforts are made to strengthen last-mile connectivity so commuters don’t have to carry personal vehicles. Provision of shared rickshaws and feeder buses has been made for easy transport. Still, we are inspecting plots for parking arrangements.”

As per the information provided, efforts are made to ensure that locations are easily accessible and within walking distance of stations. A total of 20 such locations will be identified across the Metro stretches.

The PMC initiated the mechanised parking facility near Sambhaji Garden in 2007 to reduce on-street parking on J. M. Road. The parking lot can accommodate 80 cars, and the fee is Rs 5 per hour per car. However, it was sealed in 2015 after a spot inspection by PMC officials. A private car dealer used a significant portion of the facility to park its vehicles until it was later opened to the public. Despite this, the facility has not received an adequate response, and it will now be handed over to Maha Metro, according to reports.

Madhupriya Dhanwate