PMC to work on metro proposals with PMRDA

PUNE: The corporation will work in coordination with the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority on the proposed extension of Metro routes, connecting the core city areas with the outskirts.
The elected representatives have proposed the extension of Metro on different stretches measuring 100km. The proposals include extending the service up to Wagholi, Khadakwasla, Hadapsar and Warje. At present, work has been initiated on three Metro routes — Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation to Swaragte, Vanaz to Ramwadi (both being executed by MahaMetro) and Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar (executed by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority).
Pune municipal commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad said preliminary talks would be initiated with the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) on the proposals and on how expenses for drafting the detailed project reports (DPR) of these routes could be shared to prevent complications. He said the Metro would play a vital role in strengthening the public transport in the Pune region in the days to come. Proper planning should be done after considering the requirements for the next three decades, he said.
The civic administration has given its go-ahead for the DPR (detailed project report) of Swargate-Katraj extension, but it has received many other proposals for the extension of the Metro services in the past one year. “The proposals are from all over the city. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)’s standing committee has given approval for preparation of DPRs of various routes. But mere approval to proposals will not be enough. The civic body will have to appoint an agency and make adequate provision of funds to carry out the studies,” a senior corporator said.
Sources claimed that the possibility of appointing a single agency to prepare a collective DPR of new routes was being explored. For instance, studies of the proposed extension of Metro up to Katraj, Chandni Chowk and Nigdi were being studied by MahaMetro, the sources added.
Hadapsar MLA and NCP’s city unit chief Chetan Tupe said the Metro extension proposals were discussed during the recent meeting conducted by district guardian minister Ajit Pawar. The minister sought a detail study of every route, Tupe said.
Extension of Metro up to areas like Hadapsar and Wagholi was essential, the MLA said.
It was now the responsibility of the PMC, PMRDA and MahaMetro to work in coordination to expedite the studies, Tupe said.