Pune News
Pune Metro Update: Swargate-Katraj Extension Construction Delayed, Four Underground Stations Await Work—Here’s Why
Nearly four months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Swargate-Katraj Metro extension, construction work has yet to begin. According to officials from Pune Metro, the selection process for an agency to execute the project is in its final stages. This extension will involve the construction of 5.463 km of twin tunnels and four underground stations.Approved in 2021 with an estimated cost of Rs 2,945 crore, the Swargate-Katraj extension initially included three stations: Market Yard, Padmavati, and Katraj. Due to public demand, a fourth station at Balajinagar was recently added and received approval from the civic body.
Hemant Sonawane, Executive Director of Pune Metro, stated in an interview with Indian Express, “The work for the underground Metro rail route and four stations from Swargate to Katraj will be executed by one agency, which will be finalized soon, allowing construction to begin at the site.”The project plans to utilize advanced tunneling technology, including Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), for the construction of the twin tunnels. Once construction commences, officials anticipate a swift progression of the work.The Pune Metro has already achieved significant milestones in its first phase, with the Vanaz-Ramwadi and Pimpri Chinchwad-Swargate routes now fully operational.
Additionally, the underground Shivajinagar-Swargate route has been operational since September 2024, demonstrating the Metro’s ability to navigate through dense urban areas effectively.Beyond the Swargate-Katraj extension, other projects are also in progress. The elevated Pimpri Chinchwad-Nigdi extension is currently under construction, while the Metro authority is awaiting approval for its second phase, which aims to connect Khadakwasla to Kharadi via Swargate and Hadapsar, linking it to the existing network at SNDT College station.
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