Pune :Pune residents will soon be able to travel directly from Pune city to Hinjewadi via the metro, starting in the new year. The much-awaited metro line will be operational, providing relief to IT professionals and employees commuting to the area. In addition, there will be a significant increase in the number of PMPML (Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited) buses, as 1600 new buses will be added to ease the crowding for commuters.
Currently, PMPML has a fleet of 1880 buses, of which 1491 buses are operational daily. Given the population of Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the PMRDA (Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority), the existing fleet is insufficient to meet the demand, resulting in long waiting times for passengers. To address this, both PMPML and the respective municipal corporations are planning to purchase new buses. A proposal to acquire 1000 new buses through the Central Government’s PM e-Drive scheme has already been submitted.
Relief for Industrial and IT Sector Employees
Work on the Pune metro line between Hinjewadi and Shivajinagar is more than halfway completed, with the metro expected to be operational by March 2025. This will bring significant relief to employees from the industrial and IT sectors who struggle with daily traffic congestion. Hinjewadi is home to Pune’s largest industrial and IT zones, with thousands of employees commuting daily by private vehicles (cars, buses). The traffic congestion in this area has been a major issue for both employees and local residents. The metro service, expected to be completed in the new year, will help alleviate these commuting woes.
Increase in PMPML Bus Fleet
The PMPML fleet will grow by 1600 new buses in the new year. Of these, 200 CNG buses will be purchased by both municipal corporations, while 400 CNG buses will be leased by PMPML. Additionally, there is a possibility of receiving 1000 more buses through the PM e-Drive scheme from the central government. This increase in the number of buses will help reduce the strain on public transport in Pune and provide some relief to commuters.
