Hinjawadi’s Blue Ridge Residents Struggle with Last-Mile Connectivity to Pune Metro Line 3
Pune Metro Line 3 has begun operations, offering a direct connection between Hinjawadi and Shivajinagar. However, residents of Blue Ridge Township in Hinjawadi Phase 1 are finding it difficult to access the new service, with the absence of parking facilities and inadequate last-mile connectivity emerging as major concerns.
The two nearest stations for Blue Ridge residents are Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk and Hinjawadi Phase 1, both approximately 3 km from the township. Neither station has dedicated two-wheeler or four-wheeler parking facilities, making it difficult for residents to reach the stations using their personal vehicles.
Although PMPML has started shuttle bus services from Blue Ridge at 30-minute intervals, residents say the arrangement does not adequately address their requirements. The buses operate from the main circle near the SEZ, while several residential clusters, including Unit C, Unit E, Orion and Groves, are located at least a kilometre away from the bus stop.
This makes the service particularly inconvenient for senior citizens and children who may find it difficult to walk the additional distance. Residents believe the shuttle buses should operate in loops within the township, stopping near the gates of individual residential clusters rather than restricting their service to the main circle. Each of these residential clusters houses approximately 5,000 residents. (Pune News)
The availability of autorickshaws is another concern. Residents say there are no dedicated auto services connecting the township with the nearest Metro stations. Regular autorickshaw drivers either refuse to take passengers to the stations or reportedly charge exorbitant fares, making Metro travel less convenient.
Residents believe the authorities need to address these gaps if Pune Metro Line 3 is to become a practical commuting option for people living in Hinjawadi’s residential townships. Providing parking facilities near the stations or establishing reliable feeder bus services could help improve access. Smaller buses operating on circular routes within large townships could offer an effective last-mile connectivity solution.
The issue is not limited to Blue Ridge. Several residential townships around Infosys Circle and educational institutions in the Hinjawadi area also remain outside convenient walking distance of the Metro stations. While Line 3 provides connectivity to companies located along the main road passing through the IT Park, many residents and students living or studying in adjoining areas still have to depend on road transport to reach the stations.
Given the largely linear layout of Hinjawadi IT Park, residents believe a feeder transport network following a fishbone pattern could provide better coverage. Smaller connecting routes branching out from the main Metro corridor could link residential townships, colleges and other establishments with the nearest Metro stations.
Pune Metro Line 3 is a 23.2-km elevated corridor connecting Maan in Hinjawadi with District Court in Shivajinagar. Of its 23 stations, 17 have initially been opened for passenger services. The corridor also connects commuters to the existing Pune Metro network at District Court, where passengers can interchange with Line 1 between PCMC and Swargate and Line 2 between Vanaz and Ramwadi.
The new corridor is expected to attract around one lakh additional daily passengers to Pune Metro. However, improving connectivity between Metro stations and the surrounding residential and educational areas will be essential to make the service accessible to a much larger section of Hinjawadi’s population. (Pune News)