Pune: Metro services to start on two stretches in Jan

The 5-km priority stretch from Vanaz to Garware college will be open to the public by January-end. It is part of the elevated Metro route from Vanaz to Ramwadi.

Chairman and managing director of Maha-Metro, Brijesh Dixit said the Sant Tukaram Nagar station work has been completed while other station works are also almost complete. (File)

The Metro rail service is set to open for the public by the end of January in two stretches in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.

“Officials of the Pune Metro rail Monday conveyed their plan to start the Metro rail service for the public in the city by the third week of January,” said Mayor Murlidhar Mohol after holding a meeting with officials of Pune metro rail, which is being implemented by the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (Maha-Metro).

He said the 5-km priority stretch from Vanaz to Garware college will be open to the public by January-end. It is part of the elevated Metro route from Vanaz to Ramwadi.

“Commissioner of Metro railway safety (CMRS) Janak Garg inspected the priority section — PCMC to Phugewadi on PCMC to Swargate route. The inspection will continue tomorrow also. It is mandatory to have inspection of CMRS to open any Metro line for commercial passenger operators,” said Hemant Sonawane, head of public relations of Pune Metro rail. He said the CMRS checks all the technical, passenger safety and commercial aspects of the Metro operation.

Mohol said work for the Metro rail route from Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar has begun and will gain pace as the Union government recently approved Rs 1,430 crore funds for the project.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune, a role that reflects his seniority and editorial Authority. He is a highly specialized journalist whose work demonstrates significant Expertise in the critical areas of urban development, governance, and sustainability, often linking policy to its on-the-ground impact across Maharashtra. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Ajay Jadhav contributes to the editorial direction and maintains high standards of Trustworthiness and quality in his reporting. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on the intersection of infrastructure, politics, and social development, with expertise in: Infrastructure and Civic Issues: Provides in-depth coverage of crucial development and urban governance topics. His work includes reporting on the glaring contrast between planned infrastructure projects (like private helipads) and the lack of basic facilities (schools and hospitals) in politically significant areas, highlighting accountability gaps. Politics and Governance: Consistently reports on political developments, scrutinizing decision-making that affects public life and development initiatives in Maharashtra. Sustainable Development & Environment: Demonstrates a commitment to responsible development by reporting on initiatives that successfully protect the environment while ensuring essential infrastructure development. Investigative and Policy Impact: National Impact: Ajay has written notable research articles on Conservancy staff which achieved a nationwide impact by directly contributing to the framing of policies aimed at improving the working conditions of waste-handling laborers. This demonstrates his capacity for impactful, evidence-based journalism. Additional Interests Personal Engagement: His background as a trekker and sports enthusiast suggests a keen personal interest in the environment and outdoor spaces, which likely informs his detailed and passionate reporting on sustainable development and civic issues. Ajay Jadhav's sustained focus on governance, his track record of high-impact policy-shaping research, and his critical eye for infrastructure gaps establish him as a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis in Pune and Maharashtra. ... Read More

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