PUNE (Metro Rail News): Pune’s Metro is moving ahead with its first phase nearing completion, and now the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has given the green light for the second phase.
The detailed project report (DPR) for the extended route proposed in the second phase of Pune Metro was submitted to the PMC by the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (Maha-Metro), which is responsible for implementing the project.
This proposed project would include the service from Khadakwasla to Kharadi via Swargate and Hadapsar, Paudphata to Manikbaug via Warje, Ramwadi to Kharadi, and Vanaz to Chandni Chowk.
To finance the second phase, the estimated cost for the Khadakwasla to Kharadi via Swargate & Hadapsar and Paudphata to Manikbaug routes is Rs 9,074.24 crore. Maha-Metro will raise a loan of Rs 4,354.84 crore, and the remaining cost will be shared by the Centre, State, and PMC. For the Vanaz to Chandni Chowk and Ramwadi to Wagholi routes, which are 1.112 km and 11.633 km long, respectively, the estimated cost is Rs 3,609.27 crore. Maha-Metro will raise a loan of Rs 1,895 crore, and the Centre and State will also contribute to the project’s funding.
The Pune Municipal Corporation ( PMC ) will give 209.41 sq meters of land on a temporary basis and 2,297.17 sq meters at locations like Sarasbaug, Nehru Stadium, and Ganesh Kala Krida Manch on a permanent basis to Maha-Metro, which is worth Rs 6.77 crore.
The detailed project report (DPR) for the extended route, which will be entirely elevated, was initially submitted in September last year and was later revised before being sent to PMC for approval. The funding pattern was also submitted for approval.
With PMC limits now expanded to around 500 sq km and a population of approximately 45 lakh, Pune has become the second-largest city in the country. This necessitates the development of an efficient mass public transport network to reduce road traffic and inconvenience for citizens.
The proposal for the second phase of Pune Metro will now be sent to the state government for approval and then to the Centre before the actual implementation begins. Also, the proposal to extend the route from Swargate to Katraj and Pimpri Chinchwad to Nigdi is currently waiting for approval from the Central Government.
The second phase of Pune Metro aims to increase the rail network by 82.5 km, connecting various important locations such as Vanaz to Chandni Chowk, Ramwadi to Wagholi, SNDT to Warje, Swargate to Hadapsar, Hadapsar to Kharadi, and Khadakwasla to Swargate on the proposed HCMTR route.
