Pune’s Swargate to Katraj metro rail route gets union government approval

The project will be executed by Maha-Metro, which will oversee civil, electro-mechanical and other associated facilities and works.

Pune metro construction, Pune Metro extension, Pune metro rail routes, Pune underground line extension, Pune Metro Phase 1 project, Pune underground stations, Indian express news

Maha-Metro has already begun pre-bid activities and is preparing tender documents, with contracts expected to be floated for bidding shortly. (File Photo)

In a major push to develop a network of metro rail routes in the city, the Union Cabinet on Friday approved the extension of the metro route from Swargate to Katraj Underground Line Extension of the existing PCMC-Swargate Metro Line of Pune Metro Phase one project. This new extension will be 5.46 km and will include three underground stations, connecting key areas such as Market Yard, Bibwewadi, Balaji Nagar, and the Katraj suburbs.

The extension route is estimated to be completed by February, 2029. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 2,954.53 crore, with funding to be equally shared by the union and state government. This extension will integrate with the Swargate Multimodal Hub, which includes the Metro Station, the state transport MSRTC Bus Stand, and the City transport PMPML Bus Stand, providing seamless connectivity for commuters within and outside Pune City.

“The approval of the union government to the extension of metro rail is after constant follow up for it and displays the commitment of the Modi government on development of Pune. I had recently taken a review of the proposal and took it with the union government. It will enable connecting two ends of Katraj to Nigdi,” said city MP and union minister Murlidhar Mohol.

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He said this extension will enhance connectivity between the southernmost part of Pune, the northern parts of Pune and the eastern and western regions via the District Court interchange station, providing seamless connectivity for commuting within and outside Pune City.

The Swargate to Katraj Underground Line will significantly alleviate road traffic congestion and provide a safer, more comfortable travel experience by minimizing the risk of accidents, pollution, and travel time, thus supporting sustainable urban development, Mohol added.

The new corridor will link various bus stops, railway stations, recreational centers like the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Taljai hillock (tekdi), malls, etc., various residential areas, educational institutions, colleges, and major business hubs.

It will provide a faster and more economical transport option, benefiting thousands of daily commuters, especially students, small business owners and professionals traveling to offices and business centers. The projected daily ridership on the Swargate-Katraj Line for the years 2027, 2037, 2047, and 2057 is estimated to be 95,000,1.58 lakh, 1.87 lakh, and 1.97 lakh passengers, respectively.

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The project will be executed by Maha-Metro, which will oversee civil, electro-mechanical, and other associated facilities and works. Maha-Metro has already begun pre-bid activities and is preparing tender documents, with contracts expected to be floated for bidding shortly.

This strategic expansion is expected to unlock Pune’s economic potential, providing a significant boost to the city’s infrastructure and contributing to its sustainable development.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune. He writes on Infrastructure, Politics, Civic issues, Sustainable Development and related stuff. He is a trekker and a sports enthusiast. Ajay has written research articles on the Conservancy staff that created a nationwide impact in framing policy to improve the condition of workers handling waste. Ajay has been consistently writing on politics and infrastructure. He brought to light the lack of basic infrastructure of school and hospital in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde even as two private helipads were developed by the leader who mostly commutes from Mumbai to Satara in helicopter. Ajay has been reporting on sustainable development initiatives that protects the environment while ensuring infrastructure development. ... Read More

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