‘This Will Save A Lot of Time': Khadki Residents React As Metro Station Opens, Boosting Connectivity Across Pune

The Khadki station on the Pune Metro’s Pimpri Chinchwad–Swargate corridor is now open for commuters from Saturday. The opening of the new metro station will make travel hassle-free and can save a lot of time of Punekars that gets wasted waiting in traffic jams.

The metro station is situated near the Khadki railway station, making it more accessible for people to reach important places like Khadki, Pune University, Aundh IT Park, Khadki Cantonment, Khadki Bazaar, Range Hill, Aundh Road, Ordnance Factory Hospital, and Mula Road.

During the inauguration on Saturday, Pune Maha Metro Managing Director Shravan Hardikar said, "With the addition of Khadki station to the Pune Metro expansion, the public transport system on this road connecting the twin cities of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad has been further strengthened. This station will benefit citizens living and working in Khadki, Pune University, Aundh IT Park, Khadki Cantonment, Khadki Bazaar, Range Hill, and Aundh Road."

Residents speak up

The residents also expressed their eagerness. Anmol Shintre, a shop owner, said, "With the opening of Khadki metro station, the commute has become a more convenient and seamless experience. People are buying their own vehicles, and use of public transport has dropped also because of low availability of public transport. But with more connectivity, the Pune Metro will attract more people and this pollution will be reduced."

Kastub Pradhan, a working IT professional, said, "Areas like Hinjewadi need metro more than any place. My office is in Phase 1, and I have to take a cab most of the days if I miss the company-provided bus. The IT sector is generating revenue for the city, so this area should get the metros first. I'm happy with this move, but Pune needs better connectivity; otherwise, it won't be feasible for the public to take the metro and then a bus or cab, because time and money both will come into play."

Dr. Deep Chavhan, a resident of Khadki, said, "I use a car for my daily commute to Koregaon Park, but now I can just take the metro, and it will save a lot of my time as traffic these days is getting horrible."

Kritika Nair, a 12th class student, said, "I'm a resident of Wakad, and my college is on FC Road, so this metro will not help me directly reach the designated place, but still, it will give some relief on days when nobody is there to drop me. The authorities should also speed up the project in other areas as well. I think this new stop is expected to enhance multimodal connectivity and ease travel for thousands of daily commuters."

news