Swargate-Katraj route may  be included in Phase 2

Pune: Though MahaMetro has decided to take the final call on the Swargate-Katraj extension route after Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) decision on the funding option, the former wants to include the route in the second phase of the Pune Metro project. 

Following demands from local representatives from Satara Road, the PMC had passed a proposal to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Swargate-Katraj extension route. It is a 6 kilometre stretch. According to DPR, the estimated project cost for elevated route is Rs 1,500 crore and Rs 3,000 crore for underground route. 

The MahaMetro is implementing the Nagpur and Pune Metro projects. According to MahaMetro, due to the flyover on Satara Road, the underground option is more feasible, but it is expensive. 

At present, 50 per cent of project funding comes from Central Government. The State is giving 30 per cent financial assistance and the remaining 20 per cent comes from the civic body. However, the State Government has denied funding for the Swargate-Katraj extension route. 

Therefore, the Pune Municipal Corporation is exploring alternate funding sources but it has not been able to finalise them. 

While speaking to media, Mahametro Managing Director Brijish Dikshit said, “The PMC will have to provide a funding option. We will take the help from the Centre, but we are not sure about State government’s funding. Right now, we cannot approach the Central government for the extension route. Only after completing the existing Pune Metro project, is it possible to send a request to Central Government for phase 2 of the metro project.”

The Pune Metro will be constructed in two corridors. The first corridor is between Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and Swargate and the second corridor is between Vanaz and Ramwadi.

Phase one will cover a total distance of 31.2 km and the total budget of the project is estimated to be Rs 11, 420 crore.

MahaMetro has begun work on the first stretch i.e. Pimpri-Chinchwad to Range Hills - a 10.75 kilometre route. Hyderabad-based company Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) is handling the task. 

It is also executing the Nagpur Metro project. It is an elevated stretch. Pillars will be constructed on the divider of Old Mumbai-Pune Highway. It is estimated to cost Rs 499 crore. 

MahaMetro has been given a deadline of 28 months to complete work on this stretch.