In a significant development for Pune's urban commute, the Maha Metro has finished constructing a crucial pedestrian underpass that will connect the Swargate Metro station directly with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus terminus. This comes over a year after the Metro station at Jedhe Chowk was opened to the public in October 2024.
A Long-Awaited Solution for Chaotic Junction
The newly built facility is poised to transform the travel experience at one of Pune's busiest and most chaotic intersections. The underpass is designed to enable seamless transfer between the Metro and the bus network, allowing thousands of daily commuters to bypass the congested and risky road traffic above on Satara Road and Jedhe Chowk.
Since its inception, the Swargate Metro station has operated with only one functional entry-exit gate, forcing passengers to navigate the treacherous roads to reach the adjacent bus terminus. This gap in pedestrian infrastructure has been a major point of contention for regular commuters.
Construction Challenges and Final Hurdles
A senior Maha Metro official explained the complexities involved in the project. "The construction is complete, and we are currently applying the finishing touches," the official stated. The work faced significant hurdles as it had to be executed without disrupting the heavy road traffic, meaning road closures were not a feasible option.
The underpass now awaits the final green light from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS). Metro authorities have confirmed they will approach the CMRS for the mandatory final inspection in the coming days. The final safety clearance is expected to be granted within the next few weeks. Following this, Maha Metro plans to conduct commuter movement trials before opening the facility to the public.
Commuters Voice Relief and Lingering Concerns
For daily travellers, the underpass is a welcome but overdue intervention. Many argue it should have been operational when the Metro station was launched. Anand Pote, a frequent commuter, highlighted the dangers of the current situation. "Hundreds of commuters risk their lives crossing the road. This facility will reduce hardships to some extent," he said.
However, Pote and others like Vishal Dixit point out that the core issues of traffic chaos may persist. "The problems of illegal halting of autorickshaws and haphazard parking of buses are likely to continue," Pote added. Vishal Dixit echoed this, stating that despite actions by traffic police, unauthorised vehicles continue to occupy road carriageways, causing complete chaos at Swargate Chowk.
Once operational, the underpass will open directly into the MSRTC bus terminus. This design will allow passengers disembarking from buses to use the subway to reach the concourse level of the Swargate Metro station safely, without ever having to step onto the road.
