In a major move to tackle overcrowding and enhance passenger safety, Pune railway station is set to develop a permanent holding area capable of accommodating up to 10,000 people. The facility will be built outside the station premises, aimed at regulating passenger movement during peak travel seasons and festival rushes.
Project Details and Land Allocation
Railway officials have identified approximately 5,800 square metres of land behind the MSRTC Pune station bus stand for the project. The holding area will be modeled after the successful facility at Delhi railway station, which has significantly improved crowd management.
Features and Amenities
The planned holding area will function as a pre-boarding zone, equipped with seating, drinking water, ticket counters, CCTV cameras, security checks, and digital train information boards. This will ensure organized passenger flow and reduce the risk of dangerous rushes on platforms.
Currently, Pune station handles around 1.6 lakh passengers daily, with numbers spiking sharply during holidays. The new facility aims to prevent the severe crowding and safety concerns that have plagued the station.
Land Transfer and Coordination
Discussions are underway between the railways and MSRTC for transferring the bus stand land to the railways. In exchange, MSRTC may receive alternative land near the Maldhakka goods shed for a modern bus terminal.
The project is expected to bring significant relief to commuters, offering a safer and more organized travel experience. With the holding area in place, passengers will wait in a controlled environment before boarding trains, minimizing platform chaos.
