Pune, August 4, 2023: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is gearing up to accelerate the expansion of the city’s metro network following the recent inauguration of an extended metro line.
The PMC’s Standing Committee has granted approval for the Comprehensive Project Plan (DPR), which outlines the addition of several new metro lines. These proposed lines include routes from Vanaj to Chandni Chowk, Ramwadi to Wagholi, Khadakwasla to Kharadi, and Paud Phata to Manikbagh. The acquisition of land for these projects is estimated to cost 7 crores. The collective expenditure for these proposed routes is projected to be a significant 12,683 crore rupees.
In March 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vanaj to Garware College and Pimpri to Phugewadi metro lines. Subsequently, the metro service from Garware College to Ruby Hall Clinic and Phugewadi to Shivajinagar was inaugurated on August 1st.
A notable feature of the expanded metro network is the seamless connectivity between Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad cities, with both lines converging at the Shivajinagar Court Metro Station. Following a directive from the state government, the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Mahametro) has meticulously formulated the DPR for the new routes within the city and has duly submitted it to the municipal corporation. Two of these proposed routes have received approval from the Standing Committee.
For the extension of the Vanaj to Ramwadi metro line, Mahametro has submitted a DPR that includes a 1.2 km stretch from Vanaj to Chandni Chowk and an 11.63 km segment from Ramwadi to the Wagholi-Vitthalwadi metro line. The estimated cost for this phase is 3,609 crore rupees.
Additionally, Mahametro has introduced a fresh route spanning Khadakwasla-Swargate-Hadapsar-Kharadi, covering a distance of 25.86 km, and Paud Phata-Warje-Manikbagh, spanning 6.11 km with a total length of 31.98 km. The envisioned expenditure for this ambitious expansion amounts to 9,074.24 crore rupees. This proposed metro line is set to provide crucial connectivity to areas like Kothrud, Karvenagar, Warje, and Sinhagad roads, offering relief to residents in these densely populated regions.
Awaits State and Central Approvals
After undergoing thorough examination by various municipal departments, the DPR prepared by Mahametro was presented before the Standing Committee and received the approval of Commissioner and Administrator Vikram Kumar. The next steps involve the proposal’s review in the General Assembly, followed by necessary approvals from both the state and central governments.
Alleviating Cost Burden
This substantial project will be financially supported by 20 percent funding from both the central and state governments, with the remaining 60 percent to be procured through loans facilitated by Mahametro. The Municipal Corporation will contribute 7 crore rupees towards land acquisition for the proposed routes. This represents a significant reduction from the previously projected figure of over 200 crore rupees, attributed to changes in the Metro Act brought forth by the Central Government.
