Cabinet approves Pune metro extension

By 2029, the Swargate to Katraj Metro Line extension in Pune would provide greater accessibility, reduced congestion, and sustainable urban growth.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approves the Swargate to Katraj Underground Line Extension of the current PCMC-Swargate Metro Line of the Pune Metro Phase-I project. This planned extension, known as Line-l B, will cover 5.46 km and comprise three underground stations that will connect significant neighbourhoods such as Market Yard, Bibwewadi, Balaji Nagar, and the Katraj suburbs. The project, intended at delivering seamless connection in Pune, is expected to be finished by February 2029.

The project is expected to cost ₹ 2954.53 crore, with money divided equally by the Government of India and the Government of Maharashtra, in addition to contributions from bilateral agencies, among other sources .This extension will connect to the Swargate Multimodal Hub, which contains the Metro Station, the MSRTC Bus Stand, and the PMPML Bus Stand, offering seamless connection for commuters within and outside of Pune City. This extension would improve communication between the southernmost section of Pune, the northern areas of Pune, and the eastern and western regions through the District Court interchange station, offering seamless connectivity for commuting within and outside of Pune City.

The Swargate to Katraj Underground Line will dramatically reduce road traffic congestion and provide a safer, more comfortable travel experience by lowering the danger of accidents, pollution, and travel time, while promoting sustainable urban growth.

The new corridor would connect numerous bus stops, railway stations, recreational centres such as Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and Taljaihillock (tekdi), malls, residential districts, educational institutions, colleges, and important corporate locations. It will provide a speedier and more cost-effective transportation option for thousands of daily commuters, particularly students, small company owners, and professionals travelling to offices and business centres. The expected daily ridership on the Swargate-Katraj Line for the years 2027, 2037, 2047, and 2057 is 95,000, 1.58 lakh, 1.87 lakh, and 1.97 lakh passengers, respectively.

Maha-Metro will handle civil, electro-mechanical, and other related infrastructure and works. Maha-Metro has already began pre-bid activity and is developing tender paperwork, with contracts scheduled to be put out for bidding soon. This strategic expansion is expected to unlock Pune’s economic potential by significantly improving the city’s infrastructure and promoting long-term development.

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