Pune Metro Faces Low Ridership, Raising Questions About Projections and Planning: Calls for Accountability and Transparency

1. Pune Metro’s ridership falls far short of projected numbers, with current figures only a fraction of what was expected.
2. A 2023 report by IIT-Delhi and The Infravision Foundation reveals that all Indian Metro systems are operating at less than 50% of their projected ridership.
3. Parisar Program Director Ranjit Gadgil points out the pattern of overestimating ridership and underestimating costs for Metro projects.
4. The Union Ministry of Urban Development recommended cheaper alternatives like bus rapid transit (BRT) for Pune in 2014, but the Metro project proceeded.
5. Urban transport planner Bhaumik Gowande emphasizes the importance of addressing ridership issues before further Metro expansions.
6. Concerns raised about the lack of accountability in the Pune Metro project and discrepancies in ridership estimates.
7. Pune Metro administration has yet to directly address the issues of low ridership and planning gaps, citing the Model Code of Conduct for upcoming elections.
8. NCP spokesperson Anish Gawande suggests that the preference for Metro projects is driven by their flashy appeal and perception of progress.
9. As Pune Metro continues to expand, the need for grounded, data-driven urban transport policies becomes increasingly apparent.

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