Pune: PMC Might Reconsider Options For Swargate-Katraj Metro
Pune, 23rd June 2021: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) said on Tuesday that it would consider the options of elevated metro and Metro Neo as the underground Swargate-Katraj metro route would cost around Rs 4,200 crore.
The central government has allocated 10 per cent fund instead of 20 per cent for the expansion of the Pimpri-Swargate metro line. Therefore, out of the remaining 10 per cent, PMC and the Maharashtra state government will share five per cent each.
Thus, the decision to approve the first phase expenditure of about Rs 733 crore for the subway was postponed by the PMC general body meeting on Monday. Against this backdrop, other metro options will also be explored. On the Pimpri Chinchwad-Swargate route, Shivajinagar to Swargate is a five and a half kilometre route of the underground metro. Now Mahametro has submitted a project report for the Swargate-Katraj route. The project will be completed in seven years once work begins, Mahametro said.
Therefore, an additional burden of Rs 733 crore will fall on PMC. The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML), which operates city buses, has suggested to the PMC that Metro Neo should be started on the Swargate-Katraj route. Metro Neo can be started on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route on this stretch. The PMPML also said that stations are ready for it.
“The central government has reduced the provision for the metro by 10 per cent. As the burden on PMC will increase, Puneites will have to bear a burden of at least Rs 500 crore. It is unfair to the people of Pune to reduce the provision once the project starts. BJP corporators had paid their one-month honorarium to the PM Care Fund,” said Congress state spokesperson Gopal Tiwari. He also raised the question as to why this increased burden is being imposed on the people of Pune.
“Other low-cost options for the Swargate-Katraj metro line would be welcomed. All three options will be reviewed during Mahametro’s presentation. After that the final decision will be taken considering the financial interest of the PMC,” said Hemant Rasane, Chairman, Standing Committee.
According to an estimate, the Swargate-Katraj underground metro route will cost Rs 4,200 crore and take seven years to complete, while an elevated route will take three years to build for Rs 1,250 crore. On the other hand, Metro Neo will cost Rs 350 crore and can be built in two years.
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