Pune’s rapidly expanding Hadapsar railway station is facing mounting commuter safety and accessibility concerns as passenger volumes increase without parallel upgrades in pedestrian infrastructure and public transport connectivity. The situation has intensified following the introduction of new long-distance rail services, exposing critical gaps in last-mile mobility and station planning across one of the city’s fastest-growing urban corridors. Despite the presence of a foot-overbridge at the station, commuters continue to cross railway tracks directly from the middle of the platforms to reduce walking time, raising fears of potential accidents. Daily users of the station say the existing infrastructure is inadequate for the rising passenger load and lacks convenient access points, escalators, lifts and integrated transport connections.
Hadapsar railway station was originally envisioned as a satellite terminal to reduce pressure on Pune’s central railway station and improve regional rail distribution. Significant public investment was made to develop the facility, but mobility experts argue that transport infrastructure around the station has not evolved at the same pace as surrounding residential and commercial growth. The recent addition of another platform and the launch of new train services have increased operational activity at the station. However, urban transport analysts say expanding rail capacity without strengthening multimodal access often shifts congestion from city centres to suburban nodes. In the case of Hadapsar, inadequate pedestrian circulation and weak feeder connectivity are now emerging as key challenges.
Commuters have also highlighted the absence of strong Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited connectivity between the station and major residential and employment hubs. Areas such as Wagholi, Hinjewadi, Pune Camp and central business districts currently lack seamless public transport integration with the railway terminal, forcing many passengers to depend on private vehicles or informal transport options. Transport planners say the issue reflects a broader planning concern visible in several emerging railway terminals across India, where station infrastructure is developed ahead of integrated urban mobility systems. Without coordinated planning between rail authorities, civic agencies and public transport operators, large transit investments often fail to deliver efficient commuter movement. Officials from the railway administration have urged passengers to avoid crossing tracks and use the existing bridge infrastructure. Discussions are also underway with PMPML authorities to improve bus frequency and expand route connectivity around the station area. However, transport officials acknowledged that shortages in bus fleet capacity remain a major operational constraint for the city’s public transport network.
Urban infrastructure experts believe the Hadapsar railway station corridor could become an important multimodal transit hub if supported by reliable feeder buses, safe pedestrian infrastructure, cycling access and better interchange planning. They argue that suburban rail expansion in Pune must be aligned with sustainable urban mobility principles rather than relying primarily on road-based commuting patterns. With Pune’s eastern growth corridor continuing to attract housing, logistics and employment activity, pressure on transport systems around Hadapsar is expected to rise further. Civic agencies may now face increasing calls to prioritise integrated transit infrastructure that improves commuter safety while reducing dependence on private vehicles across the metropolitan region.
