Title - Pune railway station to get a passenger-friendly makeover

Work for 2 foot overbridges, four escalators and lifts to start next month

In order to provide better facilities to over 1.5 lakh railway passengers, the Pune railway division will be making two new foot overbridges (FOB) and also install four escalators and lifts.Pune railway division is planning to commence the work next month. Officials say that the two new FOBs -- one at Solapur end and the other on Tadiwala Road -- will be constructed within 12 months.Senior divisional commercial manager of Pune railway division, Alok Badkul, said, “One FOB, which is 4.5 metre wide will be connecting platform number one to six while the other bridge will connect platform number one to platform number 3.”“We have also planned to install four escalators, two on platform number one and two on platform 6. We will be installing lifts on platform number two, three, four and five. There will also be a small foot overbridge at the Solapur end,” Badkul explained. With more than 150 trains per day, plus 44 local trains, the footfall at the Pune railway station is increasing rapidly. Railway officials believe that the numbers can soon cross the two-lakh mark.

The daily passengers are happy with the authorities’ new decision. Nitin Singh (45), a resident of Vimannagar, said, “I travel by local train everyday as my office is in Pimpri. The new FOB with more width will help passengers to walk freely with their luggage.”

Ragini Gaikwad (28), resident of Dehu Road, said, “Escalators coupled with lift is like a dream at Pune railway station. It will be a boon for senior citizens.”

More parking space

The Pune railway station authorities are planning to increase the parking space for two-wheelers near the state transport bus stand. A parking space of 5,800 square metre will be created. Presently, the Pune railway station has a parking space for 1.75 lakh vehicles.