In a significant development, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has set the wheels in motion for an ambitious plan aimed at enhancing Pune’s urban infrastructure. During a crucial meeting focused on road and metro integration, Pawar directed officials to initiate feasibility studies and formulate a detailed project report (DPR) for an integrated system of elevated flyovers and metro routes.
A Vision for Integrated Connectivity
The project envisions the creation of seamless transportation links, integrating Phoenix Mall with Kharadi-Wagholi on Ahmednagar Road and Bhairoba Nala with Loni Kalbhor on Solapur Road. These routes are of paramount importance in Pune’s growing urban landscape, and Pawar’s instructions have ignited a vision of a more interconnected city.
Key Attendees and Insights
The meeting, conducted in collaboration with metro authorities, witnessed the presence of key figures in Pune’s administration, including MLAs Sunil Tingre and Chetan Tupe, Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao, Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar, Mahametro’s Executive Director Shravan Hardikar, Additional Municipal Commissioner Ravindra Binawade, Dr. Kunal Khemnar, Vikas Dhakane, and former municipal councilors from the Pune Municipal Corporation.
Phase-2 and Beyond
Shravan Hardikar, Mahametro’s Executive Director, presented a comprehensive overview of the plan, detailing the connection between Ahmednagar Road and Khadki through the National Highway Authority’s flyovers via the Pune Metro under the Mass Rapid Transit System. He also highlighted that a comprehensive proposal for Phase-2 of the Pune Metro has been submitted to the Urban Development Department, signifying an exciting phase of expansion and development.
A Holistic Approach to Urban Growth
DCM Ajit Pawar emphasized the importance of integrated solutions, combining elevated flyovers and metro connectivity from Bhairoba Nala to Loni Kalbhor on Solapur Road. He underscored the need for comprehensive road solutions, especially given the city’s burgeoning vehicular population, hinting at the possibility of extending the Pune Metro between Loni Kalbhor and Uruli Kanchan.
Metro Milestones on the Horizon
Shravan Hardikar provided a glimpse into the metro project’s progress, announcing that the entire metro route, spanning from Vanaz to Ramwadi, is slated to become fully operational and functional by December 2023. Moreover, with successful integration with PMPL buses, the metro system anticipates a surge in passenger numbers, further enhancing Pune’s public transportation infrastructure.
