Groundwork of Swargate-Katraj underground Metro line yet to begin nearly one year after approval

Time of India

13 hours ago

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Pune: Actual groundwork on the 5.5-km-long Swargate-Katraj Metro line has remained a non-starter almost a year after it was approved in Aug 2024. The addition of two stations on the stretch as an afterthought necessitated re-tendering for the entire project.
The plan was initially sanctioned with three stations. Later, two more Metro stations were included at Balajinagar and Market Yard, taking the total to five stations on the route.
Updating TOI about the most recent status of the line, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) officials said they are in the process of finishing the re-tendering work and appointing agencies to execute the project in the next two months.
However, work is likely to begin only after the monsoon in Oct 2025.
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The Swargate-Katraj Metro line is an extension of the PCMC-Swargate corridor, which has been functional since last year. Once completed, it will connect Pune's southern end to Pimpri Chinchwad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of the Swargate-Katraj stretch in Sept 2024. Since then, authorities have just been engaged in completing formalities required to start actual work.
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Commuters have long been awaiting the beginning of this line. Many Metro users from Satara Road in particular are hoping for the Katraj extension to become functional at the earliest. "We are looking ahead to the Metro run getting extended till Katraj, but work has not even started yet. There should be some timeline followed by authorities," said Ashok Marathe, a resident of the Padmavati area.
As per the plan, the work is expected to be completed in four years after it starts.
Opposition parties claimed that state govt is planning the launch of this pending groundwork with an eye on the upcoming civic polls. A Congress functionary from the Pune unit pointed out that although the project's foundation was laid "hurriedly" at the hands of the PM, work has failed to take off for a year. "Civic polls are around the corner; state govt will attempt to push ahead with the project in the next couple of months," he claimed.
The addition of three stations has also escalated the project cost to Rs3,637.6 crore from Rs2,954.5 crore — an increase of Rs683 crore. The cost of this additional expense is expected to be shared by the Centre, state, and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
Maha Metro officials said details of the finances were being worked out, including the share of govt and assistance from financial institutions.
A functionary from Shiv Sena (UBT) said that the BJP-led govt has failed to push ahead with several major projects in Pune, including Metro extensions.
"People are struggling to deal with increasing traffic in the city, but govt has ignored these issues. Why can't projects like the Metro be expedited to avoid delays?" he said.
Pune: Actual groundwork on the 5.5-km-long Swargate-Katraj Metro line has remained a non-starter almost a year after it was approved in Aug 2024. The addition of two stations on the stretch as an afterthought necessitated re-tendering for the entire project.
The plan was initially sanctioned with three stations. Later, two more Metro stations were included at Balajinagar and Market Yard, taking the total to five stations on the route.
Updating TOI about the most recent status of the line, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) officials said they are in the process of finishing the re-tendering work and appointing agencies to execute the project in the next two months.
However, work is likely to begin only after the monsoon in Oct 2025.
The Swargate-Katraj Metro line is an extension of the PCMC-Swargate corridor, which has been functional since last year. Once completed, it will connect Pune's southern end to Pimpri Chinchwad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of the Swargate-Katraj stretch in Sept 2024. Since then, authorities have just been engaged in completing formalities required to start actual work.
Commuters have long been awaiting the beginning of this line. Many Metro users from Satara Road in particular are hoping for the Katraj extension to become functional at the earliest. "We are looking ahead to the Metro run getting extended till Katraj, but work has not even started yet. There should be some timeline followed by authorities," said Ashok Marathe, a resident of the Padmavati area.
As per the plan, the work is expected to be completed in four years after it starts.
Opposition parties claimed that state govt is planning the launch of this pending groundwork with an eye on the upcoming civic polls. A Congress functionary from the Pune unit pointed out that although the project's foundation was laid "hurriedly" at the hands of the PM, work has failed to take off for a year. "Civic polls are around the corner; state govt will attempt to push ahead with the project in the next couple of months," he claimed.
The addition of three stations has also escalated the project cost to Rs3,637.6 crore from Rs2,954.5 crore — an increase of Rs683 crore. The cost of this additional expense is expected to be shared by the Centre, state, and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
Maha Metro officials said details of the finances were being worked out, including the share of govt and assistance from financial institutions.
A functionary from Shiv Sena (UBT) said that the BJP-led govt has failed to push ahead with several major projects in Pune, including Metro extensions. "People are struggling to deal with increasing traffic in the city, but govt has ignored these issues. Why can't projects like the Metro be expedited to avoid delays?" he said.