Pune: Commuters and autorickshaw drivers want the Maha Metro , PMPML and PMC authorities to chalk out a proper plan to avoid traffic chaos at Jedhe Chowk ahead of the opening of the Swargate underground Metro station very soon. The demand follows the commuters fear of sharp surge in footfall in the Swargate area after the opening of the Metro station. A commuter said there was no coordination between PMPML, MSRTC and autorickshaw services in the area.
“The entire boundary of the new Metro station is already occupied by stalls, while autorickshaws occupy the road stretches outside MSRTC bus terminus and PMPML bus stops,” the commuter said. The Swargate Metro station , which is being developed as a multimodal hub, is coming up on Jedhe chowk. According to Maha Metro, four to five entry-exit points are planned at the station, of which an entry-exit on Satara Road (Jedhe Chowk) will be operational immediately.
“Two more crucial approach points, one each at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch and MSRTC bus terminus, will open in the next phase,” a Maha Metro official said. Metro officials said they were working on various options with PMPML to streamline traffic movement near Metro station. “There is a plan to shift PMPML bus stops after the completion of the construction of the Metro station.
Two road links are also planned that will be aligned near the Metro station to help reduce congestion on Jedhe chowk,” another Maha Metro official said. Visitors to Swargate Chowk said hapha.