Pune Metro route requires ASI approval, no-objection from Central Railway

“The railway ministry has conveyed that it will comment on the DPR only after the no-objection on the railway land and the crossing from the central railway authorities,” it said. The realignment is for the Vanaz to Wagholi route, and with historical structures in the vicinity, the ASI nod for the project is also required.

The state government had clearly spelt out the cost of the project both at current and completion levels and funds to be contributed by various stakeholders, the letter said, adding, “Proper clarifications are required on the queries of the pre-PIB meeting as the draft note for the Public Investment Board (PIB) meeting cannot be finalised unless the issues are addressed.”

Meanwhile, a few locals, including a former irrigation department officer, have approached the National Green Tribubal to allow them to intervene in the application filed in opposition to the realignment of Metro rail route, alongside the Mutha river. “There has been opposition to the Metro rail project for long. It has got delayed and now the opposition to the new route, alongside the Mutha river, would put the project in trouble,” said D N More, former secretary of state irrigation commission.

He said that the claim of the petitioners that the construction of the elevated Metro rail in the river would lead to flooding during heavy monsoon was wrong and should be scientifically proved through detailed hydro-meteorological analysis to at least establish a prima facie case.

The petitioners have claimed that the construction of the Metro as planned would be harmful to the ecology and quoted extensively from the judgment of the Principle Bench of NGT as regards ecological services provided by the flood plains. More said, “We have asked the NGT to ask the petitioners to identify species of fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds and other living creatures that live in this 2-km stretch of the flood plains.”