By R. Rakendu
The Swargate- Katraj route of Pune metro is to be constructed as an underground metro corridor. The approval for this extension of the Pune metro project was given in August 2024 by the Central Government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundational stone for the extension of this metro project almost five months ago. The estimated cost of the project at the time was 2,945 crore rupees. Initially the project included only three stations, including Market Yard, Padmavati and Katraj.
Due to Public demand, the authorities decided to add two new metro stations to the list- Balajinagar and a location beyond Market Yard. This led to an increase in the budget required for the project by 683 crore rupees. From the initial estimated cost of Rs 2,945 crores, the estimated amount increased to around Rs 3,673.6 crores. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) also gave approval to the revised estimated cost. The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited is currently in the process of deciding the contractors or builders for constructing the underground tunnels and to distribute and give other key responsibilities that are to be taken care of during the construction process.
The construction time is estimated to be four and a half years. Due to this, the local representatives and the common people who are likely to benefit from this project are asking for a faster commencing of work. According to a parliamentary survey, the politicians in charge also said that the construction works of the new Swargate- Katraj underground corridor of Pune metro will start in the coming months.
Member of Parliament, Murlidhar Mohol stated that the connectivity through metro will significantly increase by introducing the two new stations for a large section of the people who live in Pune. Many daily commuters depend on road transport in these areas, so the introduction of metro to these regions will help decongest traffic.