Pune MSRTC Bus Stands To Get Major CCTV Overhaul To Boost Commuter Safety

By Prashant for PuneriPages.in

If you’ve ever stood at Swargate or Shivajinagar, looking around a little nervously while waiting for a late-night bus—you’re not alone. I’ve felt it too. And now, there’s some news that might just make all of us breathe a little easier.

MSRTC has finally decided to step up. They’re launching a massive CCTV upgrade across their major bus stands in the Pune division. Sounds big, right? But like many of you, I wondered—is this just another tech announcement, or will it actually make us feel safer?

So, I decided to dig a bit deeper.

🗓️ The Plan in Detail

Where Are These Cameras Going?

From what I found, the focus will be on Swargate, Shivajinagar, Hadapsar, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and a bunch of other busy MSRTC bus stands.

How Many Cameras Are We Talking?

The official numbers aren’t out yet, but insiders hint at dozens of cameras being added at more than 10 key terminals.

Tech Specs:

They’re not going cheap here. Expect high-resolution, night-vision enabled cameras—many of them PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) to track motion more effectively.

What’s the Timeline?

Some installations are already happening. The full setup should be in place by early 2026, if everything stays on schedule.

🔍 Why Now?

This isn’t just a random upgrade. MSRTC officials say this is a direct response to an increase in complaints—things like pickpocketing, abandoned bags, and sadly, even harassment. Especially during night-time hours.

I spoke to a commuter, Priya Sharma, who had a scary experience:

“I was waiting alone at Swargate around 10 pm when someone tried to snatch my purse. There were no guards in sight. I filed a complaint, but nothing came of it. Cameras would definitely help, but only if they’re watched.”

Her story really stuck with me. And she’s not the only one. I heard from other solo travelers and senior citizens who all said the same thing—we need more than just cameras; we need someone watching them.

🤔 Will It Actually Make a Difference?

Here are a few things that need to be figured out:

1. Who’s Watching the Cameras? MSRTC says they’ll have a central control room, but haven’t confirmed if there will be real-time monitoring 24/7. That’s a big deal.

2. What’s the Response Plan? If something happens live on camera, how quickly will someone show up to help? Is there even a response team nearby?

3. Will They Stay Functional? We’ve all seen those broken CCTVs hanging uselessly. Officials say they’ll have a maintenance contract—but I’ll believe it when I see it. A recent state audit found over 30% of public CCTVs were just… dead.

🚌 What Do People Think?

When I went to Shivajinagar and Hadapsar, I asked a few commuters what they thought:

“The idea is great, but unless there’s real-time action, it won’t make a difference,” said Vishal Kale, who commutes daily.

“CCTV is just one part. We also need proper lighting and actual security staff on the ground,” said Asha Kulkarni, a weekly traveler to Baramati.

And honestly, they’re right. Cameras can help, but only as part of a bigger system.

💬 What MSRTC Has to Say

A spokesperson told me:

“The safety of our commuters is our top priority. CCTV expansion is a key part of a broader security plan, which includes better lighting, improved coordination with local police, and staff training. Monitoring will be round-the-clock, and every terminal will have a response protocol in place.”

Sounds promising. But again, it all comes down to execution.

✅ Final Thoughts: Eyes in the Sky, But Are They Watching?

This CCTV upgrade could be a turning point for MSRTC—and for those of us who travel every day or late at night. But it only works if someone’s actually paying attention to the screens. Cameras don’t stop crime. People do.

I’ll be keeping an eye on this rollout (pun intended), and I’d love to know what you think.

Have you ever felt unsafe at a bus stand? Got suggestions for how MSRTC can improve safety? Share your story at puneripages.in.

Stay safe out there, Pune!