Pune: Maha Metro Starts Work On Extension Of Metro Route From Swargate To Katraj, Invites Tender For Selection Of Consultant

With the work on Phase 1 of Pune Metro nearing completion, the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) has set the ball rolling for the extension of Purple line from Swargate to Katraj. 

In this regard, the Maha-Metro has floated a tender for the appointment of the consultant for the design of four metro stations and tunnels.

As per the bid document, the consultant will be responsible for detailed design of the architectural and tunnel ventilation system (TVS) including the simulation of stations and tunnels; environmental control system (ECS) and building management system (BMS) of Swargate to Katraj corridor of Pune Metro Rail Project.

The 5.464 km extension of the Purple line, from Swargate Station to Katraj in south Pune, will be completely underground and will have three stations.

It may be recalled that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) approved the proposed extension in September 2021 and sent the proposal to the state government for approval. However, the state government granted approval only in April 2022 before submitting it to the central government.

The project is presently under review by the Public Investment Board (PIB) and is expected to secure final approval soon.

According to Maha-Metro, it has carried out all the necessary tender work in advance so that it can start the extension work immediately after the central government approval. The authority is working to soon float another tender for the construction of metro stations and tunnels.

The Rs 3,668 crore extension project is expected to be completed by April 2027, pending approval from the central government. According to the DPR prepared by the Maha-Metro, the state government is set to contribute Rs 891 crore, with an additional Rs 655 crore coming from the PMC. Moreover, the state government aims to secure Rs 300 crore from the Centre, and the remaining Rs 1,803 crore will be sourced through soft loans.

Two Corridors

The first phase of the Pune Metro rail project consists of two corridors, north-south corridor (Purple line) and east-west corridor (Aqua line), with a total length of 33.2 km and 30 stations.

The 17.5-km-long north-south corridor from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to Swargate has 14 stations, with a 11.4km elevated stretch and a 6.1km underground section between Range Hills and Swargate. It passes through the industrial area of Pimpri-Chinchwad and further into old Peth areas of the Pune city.

The fully elevated east-west corridor spans 15.7 km and runs between Vanaz Depot in east and Ramwadi, with 16 stations en route.

Currently, the Pune Metro is operational for a span of 23.6 km which includes Pimpri-Chinchwad to Shivajinagar Civil Court Metro Station on NS corridor and Vanaz to Ruby Hall on ES corridor, with an interchange at Civil Court Metro Station.

The Pune Metro will likely extend its service on both routes in the next few months. The PCMC to Shivajinagar Civil Court service will be extended to Swargate by March end and Vanaz to Ruby Hall will be extended to Ramwadi by January end.