Pune Metro: Land Survey Begins For North-South Corridor Extension To Nigdi And Katraj

As two Metro rail corridors in the city approach their final stages of full operation, Pune Metro has initiated the land acquisition process for extending the north-south corridor from PCMC headquarters in Pimpri to Bhakti Shakti Chowk in Nigdi, as well as from Swargate to Katraj.

The 4.413-kilometre elevated corridor from PCMC to Nigdi, featuring three stations — Chinchwad, Akurdi, and Nigdi — received approval from the centre in October 2023. The project, anticipated to cost Rs 910.18 crore, is slated for completion by early 2027.

The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro), entrusted with implementing the project, has already awarded the contract for the design of the elevated viaduct between PCMC and Nigdi.

As per the bid document, the Maha-Metro has applied for loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB) towards the part cost of the project, and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of the loans for payments under this contract.

The extension from Swargate to Katraj will be entirely underground, featuring three stations: Market Yard Gultekdi Junction, Saibaba Nagar, and Katraj.

The underground extension from Swargate to Katraj is presently under review by the Public Investment Board (PIB) and is expected to receive final approval shortly. In preparation for the approval, Maha-Metro is finalising survey work to ensure that land acquisition and construction can promptly commence post-approval.

Consequently, Maha-Metro has issued a tender for the selection of a consultant for the design of metro stations and tunnels. The authority is also in the process of releasing another tender for the construction of metro stations and tunnels, aiming to expedite the project implementation.

The first phase of the Pune Metro rail project consists of two corridors, a north-south corridor (Purple line) and an east-west corridor (Aqua line), with a total length of 33.1 km and 30 stations.

The north-south corridor stretching 17.4 kilometres from PCMC to Swargate, featuring 14 stations (nine elevated and five underground), passes through the industrial area of Pimpri-Chinchwad and further into old Peth areas of Pune city.

Currently, this line is operational from Pimpri to Civil Court. The pending segment from Civil Court to Swargate, about 3.7 km, is expected to be inaugurated in March.

Presently, this line is in operation from Vanaz to Ruby Clinic, with the remaining 5.5-km stretch from Ruby Clinic to Ramwadi being cleared for operation by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS).