Pune Metro Expansion: These new routes will reduce congestion and ease commuting; see details
Pune Metro Expansion: Great news for Pune commuters! The city’s metro network is expanding rapidly, giving a new look to public transport. Construction work is underway on major routes like Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar and Pimpri-Nigdi, which will soon provide the city with an efficient and sustainable transport system.
Performance of Existing Metro Routes
The existing two corridors of Pune Metro—Pimpri-Swargate and Vanaz-Ramwadi—have already become quite popular. More than 1.25 lakh people are using these AC trains every day. Offering a faster and comfortable commute compared to road, this service is improving the lifestyle of Pune citizens.
Relief from Traffic Jams
The new metro routes will reduce traffic on major routes of Pune. The problem of jams on busy routes like Sinhagad Road, Karve Road, and Solapur Road will be reduced as more people will switch to the metro.
Proposed and Under Construction Metro Routes
Currently, 32 km of Pune Metro routes are operational, including a 5 km underground section from Shivajinagar to Swargate. The central government has also approved a new 6-kilometer underground metro line from Swargate to Katraj.
The state government has sent proposals to the Centre for the extension of Swargate-Hadapsar-Kharadi and Swargate-Khadakwasla. Also, construction work is underway on the following routes:
Pimpri-Nigdi Route: Will connect the northern areas of Pune to the metro.
Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar Route: Will connect the IT hub Hinjewadi to the city centre.
Apart from this, routes like Vanaj to Chandni Chowk, Nal Stop to Warje, and Hinjewadi to Chandni Chowk are also being considered.
Importance of Pune Metro
The metro expansion will not only reduce traffic jams but will also control pollution. It is a great eco-friendly transport option that is cleaner and faster than road transport. The addition of new lines will provide better connectivity to IT hubs and residential areas, saving time and increasing efficiency for commuters.
Future Prospects
The Pune Metro started its service on 24 December 2016 and has received an overwhelming response from commuters. This is why the state government has prioritized its expansion.
With the support of the state and central governments, Pune’s metro network is expanding rapidly. This is a big step towards creating an efficient, sustainable, and modern transport system to handle the growing population pressure of the city.
