Shivajinagar Bus Stand redevelopment progresses with PPP model approval

The redevelopment of Maharashtra’s Shivajinagar bus terminal is underway under a 99-year PPP model, which would improve public transport by integrating commercial, parking and metro services.

The reconstruction of Pune’s Shivajinagar bus terminal has taken a crucial step ahead, with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Pune Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar reviewing the project alongside senior civic authorities. The original bus terminal of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) was relocated to Wakdewadi to accommodate metro construction in Shivajinagar, causing passengers discomfort. As a result, there has been a considerable demand for the bus stand to be returned to its original location.

On Wednesday, Pawar held a high-level meeting in Mumbai with Minister for State Transport Pratap Sarnaik, Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal, Shivajinagar MLA Siddharth Shirole, Planning Department Secretary Rajgopal Devra, Urban Development officers, and Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) Managing Director Shravan Hardikar. The project is being developed by the executing agency, Maha-Metro.

Development of projects and key features
The project will be created using the public-private partnership (PPP) approach and leased for 99 years. This enormous makeover will convert the current site into a contemporary, multi-functional building that improves public transport efficiency and urban infrastructure.

The proposed project will be a 16-story skyscraper with a commercial complex, a bus stop on the ground floor, and dedicated parking spots on the first and second floors for private and government offices, as well as other businesses. In addition, a semi-basement level will be built for retail outlets, guaranteeing that the area is properly used for commercial activity while also meeting passenger needs. Emphasising the importance of the project, Pawar instructed officials to expedite the completion of the project report and ensure that the groundbreaking ceremony is conducted on May 1.

Integration between Swargate Bus Depot and Metro Services
During the meeting, discussions also included the Swargate bus depot, another important transportation centre in Pune. Minister Madhuri Misal revealed that their request to develop the Swargate bus depot in the style of the Shivajinagar redevelopment project was agreed during the meeting.

Swargate serves as an important link between several parts of Maharashtra. By integrating transport services with the metro system, the reconstruction intends to provide seamless connectivity to thousands of daily passengers. “If transport services and metro services are provided together, it will be of great benefit to the passengers,” Misal told the crowd.

Improving public transport infrastructure
The reconstruction of the Shivajinagar and Swargate bus terminals is consistent with the state’s overall objective of upgrading urban transportation infrastructure. The combination of bus and metro services will not only improve passenger convenience but will also help to relieve congestion on city streets by encouraging the use of public transit.

With the completion of these projects, Pune’s public transport system will undergo a makeover, providing greater facilities, better connectivity, and a more modern urban transit experience. The government’s commitment to timely implementation emphasises the strategic significance of these developments in determining the city’s future transportation landscape.

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