Pune Metro gets Rs 814 crore in budget, Maha Metro awaits break up details

''Those who are alleging that there was no mention of Maharashtra should look at the budgetary provisions including the one made for Pune Metro. Rs 814 crore has been provided by the Union budget for Pune Metro,'' Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters in Mumbai minutes after the budget presentation.

Last month, Maha Metro initiated soil testing and other works for pillar foundations for Pimpri to Nigdi extension, which is about 4.5 km. (File)

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her budget presentations made on Tuesday has made a budgetary provision of Rs 814 for Pune Metro which Maha Metro officials called a ”big amount” to help push proposed extension plans.

”Those who are alleging that there was no mention of Maharashtra should look at the budgetary provisions including the one made for Pune Metro. Rs 814 crore has been provided by the Union budget for Pune Metro,” Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters in Mumbai minutes after the budget presentation.

Maha Metro managing director Shravan Hardikar however, said, ”We had sought Rs 500 crore for extensions of the Pune Metro route up to Katraj and Wagholi. We do not know the break up of the Rs 814 crore so far. It could also be for the ongoing works of Pune Metro or might also include Metro work being implemented by PMRDA. We will wait for more clarification on this count from the government,” he said.

Hardikar said for the Pimpri to Nigdi extension of Pune Metro, Rs 970 crore has already been approved by the Centre. ”We don’t know whether the budget includes some portion of this amount as well,” he said.

Last month, Maha Metro initiated soil testing and other works for pillar foundations for Pimpri to Nigdi extension, which is about 4.5 km. The Nigdi to Pimpri stretch will have four stations. The Metro will then start from Bhakti Shakti in Nigdi and run up to Civil Court in Shivaji Nagar.

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories