Pune: DCM Eknath Shinde Pushes Metro Expansion to Chakan-Rajgurunagar, Talegaon-Shikrapur Routes
Chakan, 24th August 2026: The state government is planning a major expansion of the Pune Metro network as a long-term measure to address persistent traffic congestion in the Chakan and Talegaon industrial belts.
Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde announced plans to prepare detailed project reports (DPRs) for extending the Metro from Chakan to Rajgurunagar and from Talegaon to Shikrapur. The proposed extensions would eventually connect some of Pune’s key industrial areas to the Metro network.
The Maha Metro has already prepared a DPR for Nigdi-Chakan route and the same has been pending with the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporaiton for approval from the general body meeting before it is sent to the state government. Shinde has sought extension of the same line upto Rajgurunagar, besides proposing another route on Talegaon-Shikrapur road.
During his visit to Talegaon and Chakan, Shinde inspected ongoing road repair works and held a meeting with representatives of industries. He said the government would also consider developing workers’ townships through industrial clusters to reduce commuting time for employees.
As a long-term solution to congestion, Shinde said the Metro network would be extended into the industrial belt. Discussions have been held with Maha Metro managing director Shravan Hardikar, and the agency has been directed to examine the feasibility of the Chakan-Rajgurunagar and Talegaon-Shikrapur routes and prepare project reports.
A special committee headed by the district collector has also been formed to address infrastructure-related issues in the industrial belt. The committee will meet every Friday and focus on roads, drainage, footpaths, streetlights and other infrastructure.
Shinde said work would be expedited on the 54-km Talegaon-Shikrapur road, the Nashik Phata-Rajgurunagar road and internal roads to improve the movement of vehicles to and from Chakan. He also directed that footpaths, public amenities and cycle tracks be incorporated while constructing roads.
To facilitate faster resolution of industrialists’ grievances, MIDC executive engineers and other officials will remain physically available one day a week. Industrialists have also been urged to use the ‘Maitri’ app to register their complaints.
The meeting also discussed increasing the capacity of electricity transformers and planning for load management, waste disposal through an independent agency, and expediting issues related to water supply and the police administration.
According to the government, the measures announced during the meeting have addressed several concerns raised by industrialists, with representatives indicating that their earlier plans to shift industries out of the area had changed following the proposed interventions.
