As Pune Metro becomes the preferred mode of transport for thousands of commuters, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) is planning a major service upgrade — reducing the interval between trains to just five minutes on its two busiest routes: Vanaz–Ramwadi and PCMC–Swargate.

This proposed change follows a consistent rise in daily ridership, which recently reached around 175,000 passengers, up from 150,000 earlier. June alone recorded a peak monthly footfall of 5.2 million — the highest to date — prompting a push for greater frequency, especially during peak hours.

Currently, Metro trains run every seven minutes during peak periods and every ten minutes during off-peak times. But with congestion worsening, particularly during morning and evening rush hours, commuters have been calling for quicker services. The upcoming Ganeshotsav festivities in late August are expected to increase footfall further, adding urgency to the move.

A senior Maha Metro official told The Times of India, under condition of anonymity, that technical groundwork has begun to enable five-minute intervals. “The system is already capable of this frequency, as proven during the Palkhi processions,” the official said.

Daily travellers have welcomed the development. Rajat Deshmukh, a Karve Road resident who commutes to Kharadi for work, remarked, “The Metro helps me avoid traffic, but peak-hour crowding has become an issue. More frequent trains would be a big relief.”

While increasing the number of coaches per train is also under consideration, officials confirmed this will happen in a later phase. At present, trains run with three coaches, though all stations are built to handle up to six.

To support long-term expansion, Maha Metro has placed an order for 12 new rakes at a cost of around Rs 4.3 billion. These trains will also have three coaches each initially, with future provisions for expansion. Deliveries will take place in phases, aiding proposed extensions towards Katraj and Nigdi.

This move to reduce intervals reflects more than just convenience — it aligns with Pune’s evolving transport needs. With persistent rainfall and worsening traffic congestion, more citizens are choosing the Metro as a dependable, swift, and eco-friendly commuting option.