Aiming for an ambitious target of generating 50 per cent revenue from non-fare earnings, the Pune Metro has started the process of developing its first commercial establishment above the underground Metro station at Swargate which will have a multiplex and open-air restaurant, among other commercial activities. “The Pune Metro has planned a multi-modal transit hub at various locations. It has also planned for commercial establishments mainly at Metro station premises on its rail route. The process to develop the first commercial establishment has been started above Swargate underground metro station,” said Hemant Sonawane, Pune Metro rail general manager. The entire development of the multi-modal transit hub and commercial establishment at Swargate is being done in four phases. The transit hub will be integrating Metro, City Bus Service, Regional Bus services, private vehicles and non-motorised transport. The underground Metro station which is already in progress is the first phase of the project. The second phase is the retail development on top and eastern side of the station while the third phase is planned as high-rise mixed-use development. The fourth phase is planned with additional 1.4 hectare land allocated for the PMPML bus terminus. As the bus terminus is only a ground level structure, space about the terminus will be used for commercial development. The entire project will be implemented at Plot no 499 of the Parvati Town Planning Scheme at Swargate Metro station. “The second phase work of retail development on the top and the eastern side of the station is being taken up as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project which will ensure fixed non-fare box revenue for Pune Metro rail. The development will take place on 9,300 sqm of plot,” Sonawane said. The land is already in possession of Pune Metro and its reservation of Public or Semi-Public zone in the Development Plan of the city is being changed to `Metro station allied activities and commercial’ to undertake mixed-use development. As per the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) issued in June 2020, the area of 500 sq metres around the Metro station boundary is marked TOD zone. Since the plot allotted for the development of Swargate Multi-Modal Transport Hub is within this zone, TOD regulations are applicable to avail maximum Floor Space Index (FSI) adhering to Development Control Rules based on TOD Policy. The Pune Metro has planned a five-floor building in addition to two ground floors, an underground concourse and two basements. The two basements will be for parking, while the underground concourse and lower ground floor will have retail outlets and Mall parking with waiting or drop-off facilities for cabs. The ground floor, first floor and second floor would completely be a retail outlet commercial facility. The third and fourth floors will have retail outlets as well as multiplex while the fifth floor will have retail outlets and there will be an open-air restaurant on the terrace in 3,756.86 sqm. The structure will make available a total of 39,039.92 sq metres of area for lease.
