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Over six months after the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) announced that its mechanized parking facility on JM Road would be handed over to Maha Metro, the lot remains unused. According to PMC's project proposal, the parking was supposed to be operated on a revenue-sharing model with Maha Metro to revive
the idle facility and provide parking space for Metro users along this busy stretch.
JM Road Parking Issues After Functioning for 2 Years
The JM Road parking lot was first opened about 12 years ago, built at a cost of nearly ₹2.5 crore, with space for around 80 cars; however, it was shut down after two years due to poor response. Later, it was temporarily given to a private car dealer to park his stock of vehicles, which drew criticism. It was then reopened for the public, but during the Covid-19 lockdown, it shut again and has not restarted since.
Issues Faced by Metro Commuters
Metro commuters raised issues regarding the lack of parking near stations, which is a big problem. Therefore, many people skip using the Metro because there is no parking for first- or last-mile connectivity. Mitali Mahajan, a commuter, stated that the authorities need to take quick action. Another commuter, Ajit Shelar, pointed out that JM Road is a busy business hub with heavy footfall and very little road parking, making it urgent to restart the mechanized lot.
PMC officials explained that the facility needs repairs and upgrades before it can reopen. Contractors have been approached, but modifications will be required to fit bigger cars. Once repairs are complete, the formal handover to Maha Metro will begin. In 2024, a joint committee of PMC and Maha Metro identified this lot as one of 20 key parking sites near Metro stations that could ease commuter travel if made operational.
