The ambitious Pune Metro Line 3 project, stretching from Hinjewadi to Civil Court, encounters a roadblock as the widening of Ganeshkhind Road becomes a contentious issue. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), in alignment with the city’s development plan, is expanding the road from its current 36-meter width to 45 meters, introducing a hurdle for the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) overseeing the project.
In a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative, PMRDA is overseeing the construction of Pune Metro Line 3, a crucial transportation link for the city. However, conflicting plans have emerged as PMC proceeds with the widening of Ganeshkhind Road, disrupting the original proposals made by PMRDA.
The disagreement centers around the width of the road, with PMC officials emphasizing the need to adhere to the city’s development plan. Two segments of Ganeshkhind Road are under consideration for widening—the first from Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) to the RBI Building, and the second, given priority, spanning from SPPU to the RBI Building, intended for the PMRDA Metro Line 3 double-decker flyover, leading to Sancheti Chowk.
Currently, the metro station under construction at SPPU has made significant progress, with the segment connecting it to the RBI Building compound nearly 80% complete. However, the next two metro stations on the route, Shivajinagar and the RBI office, face delays due to challenges associated with the existing road width.
In response to this impasse, PMC has advised PMRDA to reconsider the location of the two specified stations in the detailed project report (DPR) for Pune Metro Line 3. PMC suggests that these stations should not be constructed on the current 36-meter-wide road but should be undertaken after the road is widened to 45 meters, ensuring conformity with the city’s development plan.
