The ambitious expansion plans of the Pune Metro received a significant boost as State Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar confirmed the extension of the metro service from Nigdi to Katraj. The announcement came during a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) meeting held at the Professor Ramkrishna More auditorium in Chinchwad on August 26, 2023.
Following the recent inauguration of new segments of the Pune Metro, including the Pimpri to Shivajinagar stretch, Ajit Pawar addressed the enthusiastic gathering and shared the long-awaited news. Responding to a party worker’s question about the timeline for extending the Pune Metro to Katraj, Pawar assured that not only would the metro reach Katraj, but the state government, under his role as Finance Minister, would also contribute to the project.
Highlighting the commitment of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and the state government, Pawar stated, “The Pune Metro will run from Nigdi to Katraj. As the Finance Minister, on behalf of the state government, I assure you of our readiness to contribute. I will also personally engage with the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to seek their assistance.”
He further detailed that the Nigdi to Katraj Metro extension would feature a combination of elevated and underground sections, optimizing feasibility. “Wherever possible, it will be an elevated track, and where necessary, we will opt for an underground route,” Pawar explained.
The decision to extend the metro from Nigdi to Katraj was driven by the needs of the local population, including daily commuters from Nigdi, Chinchwad, and Akurdi traveling to Pune city. This proposal had been advocated by citizens and activists since the initial planning stages of the Pune Metro’s expansion from Pimpri to Swargate.
Officials are optimistic about the progress, and municipal commissioner Shekhar Singh shared, “According to our knowledge, the Metro proposal from Nigdi to Katraj is at the final stage of approval. We are awaiting the central government’s authorization.”
Shravan Hardikar, the Chairman and Managing Director of MahaMetro, disclosed that the proposal for both the Pimpri to Nigdi and Swargate to Katraj extensions had been submitted to the central government. He also explained the financial aspects, stating that the estimated cost for the Pimpri to Nigdi extension was Rs 950 crore, while the predominantly underground Swargate to Katraj stretch amounted to Rs 3,500 crore.
The announcement marks a significant milestone in Pune’s metro journey, reflecting the collaborative efforts of administration and public aspirations in shaping the city’s transportation landscape.
