Summer Rush Pushes Footfalls At Pune Rly Stn To Three Year High

PUNE: Pune railway station has witnessed a steady increase in passenger footfall this summer season with daily average passenger numbers reaching their highest level in the last three years.

According to Pune railway division data, Pune railway station recorded 1.69 lakh daily average passengers in March, 1.72 lakh in April, and 1.84 lakh in May this year. The figures mark a consistent rise compared to corresponding months in 2025 and 2024, reflecting growing demand for rail travel from Pune to major destinations across Maharashtra and the country. Railway officials attributed the rise to the summer holiday rush; improved train connectivity; addition of special services; and continued preference for rail travel among families, students and tourists.

Hemant Kumar Behera, spokesperson of the Pune railway division, said that sustained growth in passenger numbers highlights the increasing importance of Pune as one of the busiest railway hubs in the region. “The steady rise in footfalls over the last three years is a very encouraging trend for the Pune division. It shows that passengers continue to place their trust in the railways as a safe, affordable and reliable mode of transport. During the summer vacation period, we operated additional special trains, strengthened passenger amenities, and ensured better crowd management at stations,” said Behera.

“Despite the significant increase in passenger movement, our teams worked round-the-clock to maintain smooth operations. The growth also reflects Pune’s expanding population and its importance as an educational, industrial and IT centre that generates substantial travel demand throughout the year,” he said.

Passengers too noted the swelling rush at Pune railway station. “The station was visibly crowded throughout May, and getting confirmed tickets was difficult on many routes. However, the special trains announced by the railways helped many travellers. Pune continues to be one of the preferred boarding points for people travelling during vacations,” said Pratik Deshmukh, a passenger travelling to Nagpur.