Title - Traffic at Pune station to be streamlined

PUNE: The Central Railway Pune division plans to streamline vehicular traffic and movement of people at the Pune railway station to curtail traffic jams and slow movement of vehicles on the station’s premises.

The administration may have separate circulating areas for two-wheelers and four-wheelers along with widening the entry-exit gates. A dedicated walkway for passengers to reach the station is on the anvil.

“At present, we are studying the details for the project. We will finalize and implement it after the study,” said a railway official.

According to the official, hundreds of four-wheelers and two-wheelers visit the railway station every day. This often causes chaos at the entry-exit gates and on the premises during rush hours, he said. “Drivers complain they do not get enough space to park or halt vehicles,” he added.

Some officials said the administration is planning to restrict traffic jams and slow movement of vehicles in the circulating area. According to the new plan, vehicles could enter the premises, allow passengers to get off and proceed towards the exit gate.

At present, four-wheelers and two-wheelers enter from the same gate. The administration is also working on a plan for separate circulating areas for four-wheelers and two-wheelers, the official said.

Meanwhile, autorickshaw unions have demanded a separate entry point to the station, while private bus operators have asked for a dedicated bay for parking. Rajendra Agale, an autorickshaw driver said, “All vehicles enter the station from the same point which leads to chaos. Considering the large number of autorickshaws, the administration should set up a separate gate and a dedicated lane for autorickshaws.”

Bus operator Ramesh Kachan said, “We have been demanding a halting bay for buses for long. The railway administration and the traffic police have not addressed our needs. The administration should consider our demand while preparing the plan.”

Easier way

# Separate circulating areas for two-wheelers and four-wheelers # Widening of entry-exit gates # Dedicated walkway for passengers # Dedicated lanes for vehicles entering the station to enter the station to drop passengers # Autorickshaw drivers want separate entry gate # Private bus operators have asked for a dedicated bay where the buses can halt.