Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Passengers traveling through underground metro stations in Pune, including Swargate, Mandai, Kasba Peth, Civil Court, and Shivajinagar, have been facing poor or no mobile signal for the past two months. This has made it difficult for them to book tickets online, make calls, send messages, or use the internet, especially during rush hours.
Maha Metro Issues
According to officials from the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro), the problem worsens during the morning (8-10 a.m.) and evening (5-8 p.m.) peak hours, when around 15,000 to 20,000 passengers pass through each station. Maha-Metro said they have already informed telecom operators about the issue and asked them to take corrective steps.
Installation of the IBS System
An in-building solutions (IBS) system has been installed in the underground tunnels and stations to help telecom providers like Airtel and Vodafone strengthen their signal. This system is commonly used in large buildings or underground spaces to enhance wireless communication. Officials added that a new IBS setup and network boosters are being introduced at each station to improve connectivity. However, during the monsoon and festive seasons, especially around Ganeshotsav, the service gets affected due to high humidity and increased passenger traffic. Maha-Metro also plans to add Jio services soon.
Weakening of Mobile Signals
Telecom expert Mandar Rathi explained that humidity and underground conditions weaken mobile signals. Moist air and thick concrete walls reduce the strength of radio waves, causing poor data and call quality.
Commuters like Dinesh Nair said the weak internet causes delays in online ticket booking, and the ticket counters often lack change for cash payments. This leads to long queues and delays, especially for office-goers. Passengers are urging authorities to fix the connectivity issue quickly for a smoother travel experience.
