It has been a year since railway officials from Pune division sent a proposal to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) demanding reservation of land next to Hadapsar station so that a few of the train services could be shifted there, but nothing has happened till date claimed a few senior railway officials.

Under-equipped: Currently, there is just one foot over-bridge that links the two platforms at Hadapsar station, and only one platform has a shed. Pic/Mohan Patil

Railway officials said they manage about 140 long-distance trains form the Pune railway station daily, which takes a toll on other services.

After undertaking a survey to find a suitable second operational point, officials zeroed in on Hadapsar station, and sent a land reservation proposal to the PMC. But in the past year, only discussions have taken place.

“Our officials surveyed Hadapsar station and found it to be suitable for shifting some of the operations from Pune station. In the proposal, we requested the PMC to reserve the land surrounding the station for transport facilities.

Also, the entry and exit points to the station need widening so that passengers get adequate space while accessing and leaving the station,” said Pune division railway manager Suneet Sharma.

“The proposal is yet to be approved by the PMC. Once sanctioned, we’ll start extending the platform and move a few of our services to Hadapsar.”

A lot to be done
mid-day correspondent visited Hadapsar station yesterday and found that a lot needs to be done to develop it as an operational point.

There are two platforms that can accommodate 12 coaches each, and a single foot-over bridge (FOB) connecting them. The station is located on the Mundhwa-Kharadi bypass road and has a single approach road. While one side of the station is surrounded by industries and a vast expanse of open space, the other is encroached upon by slums. Daily, 16 passenger trains (8 up and 8 down) pass through the station for Solapur, Manmad, Baramati and Daund.

There is no security guard or Railway Police Force (RPF) personnel deployed at the station. During emergencies, an RPF constable is called from Loni railway station or Mundhwa police station. The staff comprises eight from operational section, three commercial workers and two housekeepers.

One of the staffers said, “In the absence of security guards, and easily accessible restrooms, local urchins have converted the station into a night shelter. So we keep the toilets locked during daytime and give the keys only when passengers ask for them. The station is huge and we need more people to keep it clean.”

Work of increasing the height of platform #2 is currently underway, alongside construction of a toilet for physically challenged commuters. Railway passenger Sambhaji Gosavi said, “There is only one shed at the station. The seating capacity needs to be increased too.”

Vipul Alekar, another commuter, said, “To board a long-distance train, we go all the way to Pune. If some trains are shifted here, it will benefit those residing in Hadapsar, Mundhwa, NIBM, Kondhwa, Kharadi and other nearby areas.”