By Sunita
Pune: Over 18,000 passengers travelled on the Shivajinagar to Swargate underground route on Monday after PM Narendra Modi inaugurated it online on Sunday. They preferred the underground route on the first day of its operation.
Commuters usually face congestion by road from Swargate to Shivajinagar Court, on which other bus stops such as Mandai and Kasba Peth also fall. It takes around half an hour to travel the distance. They can now cover the same distance within 10 minutes by Metro railway.
Professionals, employees, traders, students and women heaved a sigh of relief, even though the opening was delayed. Though the underground route has started operating, the Swargate Metro Station work has still not been completed, which should be finished early and a parking facility should be provided at Swargate Metro Station, demanded citizens.
The densely populated areas in the heart of the city such as Kasba Peth, Budhwar Peth, Mandai and Swargate have now been connected through the Metro. This will make the travel convenient on the Swargate to PCMC route, which lasts for 34 minutes and would cost Rs 35. Passengers travelling on Vanaz-Ramwadi route can easily interchange the Metro at Shivajinagar and head towards PCMC or Swargate.
The Budhwar Peth-Kasba Peth Metro Station is convenient for many commuters on this route, from where they can visit Lal Mahal, Shaniwarwada, Kasba Ganpati Mandir and electric market. From the Mandai Metro Station, passengers can easily visit Mahatma Phule Mandai, Tulshibaug, Dagdusheth Mandir, etc.
The Swargate Metro Station has been built in the vicinity of the PMPML bus depot and the ST stand. This has become a multi-modal integration hub. This will facilitate long-distance travel within the city for passengers arriving at Swargate by PMPML or ST buses.
Pune Metro fares: Pimpri to Swargate: Rs 30, Vanaz to Swargate: Rs 25, Ramwadi to Swargate: Rs 25, Swargate to Shivajinagar: Rs 20.
Expressing his concern over the escalators set up at the Swargate Station, a senior citizen said, “I reached the Shivajinagar Metro Station to head towards Swargate. However, the escalators installed at the Swargate Metro Station are not user-friendly for senior citizens like me.”
There are some other issues, which were pointed out by other passengers. They said that there is no one to guide passengers at the Swargate Metero Station. The Metro Station entrance opposite Natraj Hotel is still closed. A lot of exterior work is pending at the Swargate Metro Station. Though the online payment facility is available at the Swargate Metro Station, a lack of connectivity is another problem.
A retired government employee said, “Pune Metro will boost development. I travelled from Swargate to Mandai in three minutes flat. The journey was comfortable. While returning, I visited various temples in Mandai area, bought vegetables too. Though escalators may not be convenient for senior citizens, the overall experience was pleasant and time-saving.”
Pune Metro Executive Director Hemant Sonawane said, “The travel from Swargate to the heart of the city has become comfortable for the Puneites now. They are saving time too. Over 18,000 passengers travelled on the route from 7 am to 7 pm on Monday (September 30). As many as 360 to and fro runs were operated.”
