Pune: Officials have said passengers would have to wait around three years to see complete transformation of the Pune division and station after railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a slew of projects recently.Railway officials said the six additional platforms were likely to be completed by March next year, but would not become operational immediately. The commissioning depends on the completion of the expanding yard remodelling project and other linked infrastructure works.A senior railway official told TOI: “The railway minister has said the projects in the Pune division will take around three years to complete. The six new platforms should be ready by the end of the current financial year, but cannot be operational till completion of supporting infrastructure, such as foot overbridges, circulating areas and yard works.”Officials said the priority was to increase the station’s handling capacity. Currently, around 150 trains originate, terminate or pass through Pune station daily. The target is to accommodate nearly 20 additional services. “The entire yard remodelling exercise is aimed to enhance capacity. The scope of work has expanded as planning progressed,” the official said.The ambitious redevelopment of the station building was also likely to be delayed. Sources said the final design was yet to be approved. The project would be executed by the Railways’ Gati Shakti Unit. During his visit to Pune earlier this month, Vaishnaw had said increasing the station’s operational capacity was more important than to construct a new terminal building.Central Railway chief public relations officer Swapnil Nila said, “The yard development comes first. The heritage station building will remain untouched, while the adjoining structures are redeveloped.”Meanwhile, land required for the station’s expansion was another hurdle. Railways had sought the transfer of the MSRTC bus depot land adjoining the Pune station, offering an alternative plot with developed infrastructure. However, MSRTC officials said the proposed land may not be acceptable. “The final decision rests with the state headquarters, but the alternative is not comparable to the existing location. We doubt it will attract the same footfall,” a Pune division official said.Nearly 1.6 lakh passengers use the station daily. Passengers and railway activists said immediate relief measures were essential instead of waiting for years for redevelopment.Camp resident Nalin Pathak said poor maintenance and congestion continue to plague the facility. “The AC waiting room toilets were filthy during my recent visit. The circulating area is chaotic and Pune station remains under immense pressure despite development of nearby stations like Hadapsar.”Katraj resident Dnyaneshwar Tilekar said, “There is hardly any seating, platforms remain overcrowded, cab booking is difficult, autorickshaw overcharging is rampant and parking facilities are inadequate. While the future plans sound promising, passengers need immediate stop gap measures.”Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee member Anand Saptarshi said the issues would be taken up with senior railway officials in upcoming meetings.
