Pune: State Government Approves Two More Metro Routes for the City
On Monday, the state cabinet of Maharashtra approved two new Metro routes to Pune, which would extend the city’s metro network reach to the outskirts of the city. The two routes are Nal Stop to Warje-Manikbaug and Khadakwasla-Swargate-Hadapsar-Kharadi, and are expected to reduce traffic congestion in the high-demand areas.
Residents along Sinhagad Road and in Hadapsar had been demanding for the Metro services to be extended to ease their daily commute Both of these routes will now await the further review and approval of the Centre after the nod given by the state government.
This approval comes just ahead of the upcoming assembly election code of conduct. The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) submitted detailed project reports (DPRs) for both routes to the state government many months ago. The new lines will be fully elevated and will have 31.61 kilometers of length with 28 stations. As per reports, the proposed six-kilometer long line will connect Warje along Karve Road up to Dahanukar Colony on one end and would end at Manikbaug with six stations in between. The longer Kharadi line will cover 25.51 km and pass through Khadakwasla, Sinhagad Road, Swargate, Hadapsar Road, Magarpatta Road, and Kharadi with 22 proposed stations.
The cost of the entire stretch is estimated at ₹9,897.19 crore, while Khadakwasla-Kharadi stretch is projected to cost ₹8,131.81 crore, and the Nal Stop to Warje route estimated to cost ₹1,765.38 crore. These Metro extensions will enable better connectivity for residents of Sinhagad Road, Karve Road, and Solapur Road besides reducing traffic congestion, said Shravan Hardikar, Managing Director of Maha Metro.
Maha Metro has finally managed to make headway on Phase 2 of the project both in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. PM Narendra Modi last month laid its foundation at Swargate to Katraj underground extension as part of the Phase 1 of Pune Metro. Work has also started on ground on an elevated stretch from PCMC to Nigdi, another Phase 1 extension.
The Maha Metro has made sure that provisions for Metro pillars have been done, although the PMC flyover will be disrupted due to the development of the Metro line.
