Pune: With the rapid development of Pune Metro Project, the year 2017 was indeed beneficial for citizens of the city and authorities are confident of completing the project in time. While the PCMC-Swargate and Vanaz-Ramwadi corridor of the metro is to be developed by Maha Metro (Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited), the Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar corridor will be developed by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA).
Both the authorities, PMRDA and Maha Metro started their work a year ago. After the start, the Maha Metro began its civil work for the project from Pimpri to Range Hills and Vanaz to Shivajinagar.
Officials of Maha Metro said that the project is moving at the desired pace. The Maha Metro will develop 31 stations for their entire project and has planned car sheds at Agriculture College and Vanaz depot. According to Maha Metro officials, the agency requires around 44 hectares of land in various parts of the city which includes 11.51 hectares land at Agriculture College for depot and 12.11 hectares of land for Vanaz depot.
Maha Metro MD Brijesh Dixit said that they have got required land at the Agriculture College and they are in talks with the civic body for land acquisition for Vanaz depot.
“The process of land acquisition near Shivajinagar godown is also approved and is in progress which will help in building Civil Court Metro Station,” added Dixit.
Maha Metro is also in talks with defence authorities for land acquisition which is about 13,000 square metres.
Maha Metro officials said that the signalling and electrical work on the Pimpri route will start in 2018. Similarly, Maha Metro will also start civil work of Range Hills-Swargate route which will be underground.
In parallel to this, a multi-modal hub will also be erected at Swargate station. Speaking about the extension of the current metro project, Dixit said, “We appreciate the demand of extension. People are demanding extension of the project from Ramwadi to Wagholi, from Pimpri to Nigdi, from Vanaz to Warje and from Swargate to Katraj. However, we are currently focused on the initial phase of the project. As the project progresses the demands of extension will also be worked upon,” added Dixit.
Speaking on the issue of pollution and environment impacts of the project, Dixit said that the authorities are alert about these issues and is working in tandem with all stakeholders. “We are not causing harm to trees coming in the way of our construction.
Similarly, construction on the riverbed is also taking place under NGT guidance. We will continue to work as per NGT rules,” added Dixit.
Speaking on finance issues, Dixit said that the current development was possible due to equity funds and the authorities are working to find funding ways to answer to the future needs. Dixit said that station designs will be reflecting the iconic structures of Pune and will have a touch and feel of Pune in it.
While in 2018, the PMRDA authorities will work on land acquisition and financial management issues for the project. PMRDA has planned 23 stations from Hinjewadi phase III to Shivajinagar.
Distance and stations
Corridor Rail length in km stations
PCMC-Swargate 16.5 14
Vanaz-Ramwadi 14.6 16
Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar 23.3 23
