Pune standing committee agrees to Rs 233 crore metro extension

The standing committee of the Pune Municipal Corporation has given its go-ahead for allocating Rs 233.75 crore for the Swargate-Katraj extension of Metro, which is expected to cost Rs 4,283 crore. The standing committee has also sought the general body’s nod to allocate the project work to Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (MahaMetro) and show the final alignment of the route in the development plan (DP). The standing committee has also made it clear that the civic administration would not take any responsibility of the loan the Union and state governments would seek for the execution of the project. As per the plan, the Swargate-Katraj extension work will be taken up in the second phase of the Metro plan and is expected to get over by 2028. The section will be the extension of the PCMC-Swargate Metro corridor, of which Shivajinagar to Swargate stretch is underground. The MahaMetro has already started the civil work of the first phase of Metro in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, two corridors of which are expected to cover 33km distance. For the extension, three option were under consideration, including a complete elevated stretch, complete underground stretch and alignment via Market Yard. The DPR, which has given preference to underground stretch, has proposed three stations and acquisition of some private land for the project.