Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
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.
“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.
