Metro will run parallel to Nashik Phata flyover

The state government nod for Metro rail from Swargate to Pimpri-Chinchwad has given rise to speculation on how the Metro will cross the double-decker Nashik Phata flyover. Clearing the air,PCMC commissioner Shrikar Pardeshi said the Metro rail will run parallel to the second flyover,which is 20-metre high from the ground.

“The flyover will not be a hurdle for the project. The Metro will run parallel to flyover,” he said. While the upper flyover is 20-metre high,the lower one is six-metre high. Pardeshi said since the Metro project will be an elevated one in Pimpri-Chinchwad,it will not lead to displacement. As for the Harris bridge at Dapodi,Pardeshi said it was with PMC.

PCMC officials said the Metro will run between the existing railway line and the Pune-Mumbai highway. Experts and civic activists fear that Metro might add to the traffic congestion on Pune-Mumbai highway. “Metro will run on the service road on the highway. The road will have a BRTS lane and bus shelters on the right side of the road. This service road is also used by extra large heavy vehicles which cannot use the grade separator due to height limitations. Hence,Metro pillars and stations on the service road will eat up into the service road space and cause problems for bus and traffic movement,” said Prashant Inamdar of Pedestrians First.