The first phase of the Pune Metro rail has been completed with both the routes - Vanaz to Rawadi and Pimpri Chinchwad to Swargate - being made operational in phases. (Express File)
It’s almost four months since Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for extension of the Pune Metro’s rail route from Swargate to Katraj. But the construction is yet to begin as the Pune Metro is in the last stage of finalising the agency to carry out the work that includes 5.463 km of twin tunnels and four underground stations.
The extension from Swaragte to Katraj was approved in 2021 at an estimated cost of Rs 2,945 crore. Initially, there was proposal for only three stations – Market Yard, Padmavati and Katraj. But owing to public demand, the civic body has recently given approval to a station in Balajinagar.
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“The work of the underground Metro rail route and four stations from Swargate to Katraj will be executed by one agency. It will soon be finalised and the actual work would begin at site,” said Hemant Sonawane, executive director of Pune Metro.
The first phase of the Pune Metro rail has been completed with both the routes – Vanaz to Rawadi and Pimpri Chinchwad to Swargate – being made operational in phases. However, Sonawane said the inclusion of a fourth station on the route was as per need and its work would be carried out along with the construction of other underground stations and routes.
“The underground route and stations require a specialised agency which will use the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) for constructing the twin tunnels. Once the work begins, it will be executed at a pace,” he said.
The Pune Metro has already got an underground route from Shivajinagar to Swargate, which cuts across the Mutha river and passes through the highly dense locality of the old city. The route has been in operation since last September.
The extension work from Pimpri Chinchwad to Nigdi route which is an elevated structure has already been started.
The Pune Metro is now awaiting the Central Government nod for implementation of the second phase of Pune Metro – from Khadakwasla to Kharadi via Swargate and Hadapsar while connecting the new route to the existing route at SNDT College station.
Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune, a role that reflects his seniority and editorial Authority. He is a highly specialized journalist whose work demonstrates significant Expertise in the critical areas of urban development, governance, and sustainability, often linking policy to its on-the-ground impact across Maharashtra.
Expertise
Senior Editorial Role: As an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Ajay Jadhav contributes to the editorial direction and maintains high standards of Trustworthiness and quality in his reporting.
Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on the intersection of infrastructure, politics, and social development, with expertise in:
Infrastructure and Civic Issues: Provides in-depth coverage of crucial development and urban governance topics. His work includes reporting on the glaring contrast between planned infrastructure projects (like private helipads) and the lack of basic facilities (schools and hospitals) in politically significant areas, highlighting accountability gaps.
Politics and Governance: Consistently reports on political developments, scrutinizing decision-making that affects public life and development initiatives in Maharashtra.
Sustainable Development & Environment: Demonstrates a commitment to responsible development by reporting on initiatives that successfully protect the environment while ensuring essential infrastructure development.
Investigative and Policy Impact:
National Impact: Ajay has written notable research articles on Conservancy staff which achieved a nationwide impact by directly contributing to the framing of policies aimed at improving the working conditions of waste-handling laborers. This demonstrates his capacity for impactful, evidence-based journalism.
Additional Interests
Personal Engagement: His background as a trekker and sports enthusiast suggests a keen personal interest in the environment and outdoor spaces, which likely informs his detailed and passionate reporting on sustainable development and civic issues.
Ajay Jadhav's sustained focus on governance, his track record of high-impact policy-shaping research, and his critical eye for infrastructure gaps establish him as a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis in Pune and Maharashtra. ... Read More
