In a move to enhance Pune’s metro network, the Municipal Corporation’s general meeting on Tuesday (18th) approved the project report for two new metro routes Hadapsar to Loni Kalbhor and Hadapsar to Saswad. The expansion, aimed at easing travel and accommodating the city's future growth, is estimated to cost Rs 5,704 crore.
The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) and MahaMetro have devised a comprehensive transport development plan for the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) area. As part of this initiative, the Pune Integrated Metropolitan Transport Authority (PUMTA) decided to draft a detailed project report for the two metro lines. This report was presented at the Municipal Corporation's general meeting and received approval under the chairmanship of Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale.
To facilitate the expansion, the PMC will contribute approximately 3.6 crore towards land acquisition. However, this amount will be disbursed only after securing approvals from the central and state governments. Additionally, an agreement will be signed with MahaMetro, which will be responsible for securing state and central government approvals. Notably, the PMC will not seek any loan guarantees from either government for the project.
The Hadapsar to Loni Kalbhor metro route will span 11.5 km, while the Hadapsar to Saswad route will cover 5.57 km. The funding structure for the expansion includes:
- 20% contribution from the central government
- 60% financing through loans
The remaining amount will be sourced through other means. Out of the 10 metro stations planned on the Hadapsar to Loni Kalbhor route, six will fall within municipal limits. Similarly, two metro stations on the Hadapsar to Saswad route will be within PMC jurisdiction.
Approval for Balaji Nagar Metro Station
In another significant development, the Municipal Corporation approved the construction of a new metro station at Balaji Nagar. Initially, the underground Swargate to Katraj metro route included only three stations, with a 1.9 km gap between Padmavati and Katraj stations. This created accessibility concerns for residents of Dhankawadi and Balaji Nagar. In response to public demand and political appeals, MahaMetro has agreed to add a station at Balaji Nagar, ensuring better connectivity for the area.
With these approvals, Pune’s metro network is set for significant expansion, promising improved public transportation and seamless connectivity for commuters.