News Brief
Vanaz-Ramwadi Line To Chandni Chowk-Wagholi: Pune Metro Expansion's Revised Cost Of Rs 3,626 Crore Gets Maharashtra Government Nod
The newly built Phugewadi metro station in Pune. (Representative Image)
The Maharashtra government has approved the revised cost for extending the Vanaz-Ramwadi Metro line to Chandni Chowk in the west and Wagholi in the east, paving the way for the long-pending expansion, reported Hindustan Times.
The initial estimate of Rs 3,756.58 crore has been lowered to Rs 3,626.24 crore for the entire project.
About Rs 1,867 crore will be raised through bilateral and multilateral loans, with the state and federal governments contributing Rs 479.71 crore each.
To fund land acquisition, rehabilitation, and building, the state will offer an interest-free loan of Rs 656 crore, while the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will contribute Rs 24 lakh.
“I thank the state government for approving two more stations - Balajinagar and Bibwewadi - on the proposed Swargate-Katraj underground route,” said Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, who praised the move.
Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro) will be responsible for carrying out the project, which will involve civil works, rolling stock, stations, tracks, signalling, platform screen doors, cyber security, and multi-modal integration.
Mobility would be greatly enhanced by the extension, according to a top MahaMetro official.
“The Metro’s reach to Chandni Chowk and Wagholi will benefit thousands of commuters daily,” he said.
The updated plan was approved by the Centre on 16 July and by the state Cabinet on 19 August.
