Pune Metro’s Pimpri-Chinchwad to Nigdi Route Receives Approval, Delays Expected for Swargate to Katraj

Pune, 7th September 2023: The Public Investment Board has granted approval for Pune Metro’s proposed route from Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) building to Nigdi. It is anticipated that the Union Ministry of Housing and Civil Affairs will also grant approval in the near future. Consequently, work on this route is expected to commence within the next three months. However, sources suggest that the Swargate to Katraj metro route may experience delays.

Currently, the first phase of Pune Metro operates along the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipality to District Court (Shivajinagar) and Vanaz to Ruby Hall routes. These routes are slated for extension, with the District Court to Swargate and Ruby Hall to Ramwadi segments being added.

The Ruby Hall to Ramwadi phase is in its final stages and is projected to be completed within a month. Simultaneously, work on the District Court to Swargate phase is also in its concluding stages, with an estimated completion date in December. Following the completion of work on these extended lines, the metro system will undergo testing before commencing regular service. As a result, the extended service on both of these lines is expected to be operational by the end of this year, according to Mahametro Executive Director Hemant Sonawane.

In addition to the existing plans, Mahametro has decided to further expand routes in the first phase and has submitted a proposal to the Central Government for approval. The Public Investment Board has given the green light to the PCMC to Nigdi route, with a recommendation to the Union Ministry of Housing and Civil Affairs pending. The tender process will commence upon ministry approval, and work on this route is anticipated to start within the next three months.

Explaining the delay for the Swargate to Katraj route, sources indicated that this project involves a subway metro line with a cost of Rs 3,663 crore, making it more expensive. Approval from the Prime Minister’s Office is required for this costly endeavor, contributing to the expected delay.

Proposed Extended Metro Routes:

1. PCMC to Nigdi

• • Total Length: 4.4 Kms
  • Stations: Chinchwad, Akurdi, Nigdi

1. Swargate to Katraj

• • Total Length: 5.4 Kms
  • Stations: Market Yard, Padmavati, Katraj

The approval process for the extended PCMC to Nigdi Metro route is in its final stages, with a recommendation from the Public Investment Board to the Ministry. Additionally, a preliminary proposal for the extended route from Swargate to Katraj has been submitted to the Central Government, stated Mahametro Managing Director Shravan Hardikar