Pune: “Why don’t all IT employees use public transport?” FITE Sparks Heated Online Debate on Why Hinjawadi IT Employees Avoid Public Transport
Pune, July 23, 2025: A seemingly straightforward question posed by the Forum For IT Employees (FITE) — “Why don’t all IT employees use public transport?” — has ignited a widespread discussion on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the complex, ground-level challenges faced by tech professionals in Pune’s Hinjawadi area.
While the question might sound simple, the responses reveal a multifaceted struggle rooted in poor urban infrastructure and unsafe conditions.
Ground Realities Shared by FITE
In its now-viral post, FITE outlined the many reasons why public transport is not a practical option for most Hinjawadi-based IT employees:
- Lack of basic infrastructure: Most bus stops in key IT zones are uncovered, exposing commuters to harsh sunlight or torrential monsoon rains.
- Pedestrian hazards: After disembarking, commuters often navigate through muddy pathways, garbage-strewn lanes, or broken roads, with no proper footpaths.
- Unsafe road crossings: With no pedestrian crossings in place, crossing the road during peak traffic hours becomes a risky affair.
- Disconnected residential complexes: Many IT employees live in gated communities located far from main roads, requiring unsafe and lengthy walks just to reach a bus stop.
- Family responsibilities: Many professionals juggle responsibilities like dropping children to school or coordinating with spouses working in other areas, making single-route bus travel unfeasible.
- Odd working hours: Irregular shifts and late-night work schedules make buses either unavailable or too unsafe, especially for women.
“Next time someone says IT people drive alone and cause traffic — tell them: we’ll happily use public transport if the system is ready for real-life needs,” FITE’s post concluded.
Reactions From X Users
The post sparked an intense debate, with many users chiming in to share their personal experiences and viewpoints:
- “There’s no public transport available during odd hours, and no safety either. That’s a major issue for many of us working night shifts,” said one user.
- Another pointed out the need to protect expensive IT equipment, especially during the monsoon: “It’s not just about convenience — it’s about protecting our laptops and gadgets from damage.”
- A different perspective emphasized that convenience drives usage: “People use the metro because it’s well-maintained and reliable. Other modes of public transport aren’t.”
- Some also expanded the issue beyond Hinjawadi: “These problems are common across Pune, not just with IT folks. The entire city suffers from inadequate infrastructure.”
🚌 “Why don’t all IT employees use public transport?”
— Forum For IT Employees – FITE (@FITEMaharashtra) July 23, 2025
Sounds like a simple question — but the answer is anything but simple.
Here’s the reality:
🚏 No covered bus stops in key areas – waiting in harsh sun or heavy rain is not practical.
🚶♂️ After getting off the bus, there are… pic.twitter.com/OPP1akRMH0
Infrastructure Woes in Focus Again
This isn’t the first time Hinjawadi’s poor infrastructure has come under the scanner. Just last month, a photo of a PMPML bus submerged in water due to severe waterlogging during heavy monsoon rains in the Rajiv Gandhi IT Park area went viral.
Repeated complaints from citizens and IT companies alike point to a host of unresolved issues — from chronic traffic congestion, bad roads, frequent power cuts, to poor drainage systems — making daily commuting a challenge, especially for the thousands working in one of India’s key IT hubs.
The current online debate brings renewed attention to the pressing need for holistic, people-friendly urban planning in Pune’s growing tech corridors.
