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Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
One Pune Metro train set leased to Patna Metro, Congress says ‘politically motivated' move
The Maha Metro Rail Corporation has leased a reserve train set of the Pune Metro to the Patna Metro Rail Corporation for a period of three years. The train set has been leased to Patna at a cost of Rs 14.85 crore, including transport and other charges, informed Maha Metro spokesperson Hemant Sonawane. The train set left from Pune to Patna on July 11-12 by road. The Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress Youth Congress has termed this move as a 'politically motivated diversion of resources' from Maharashtra to Bihar, allegedly for electoral gains ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. However, Maha Metro officials denied these allegations by saying that 9 more spare train sets are available with Pune. They also said that such transfers were routine, and Pune Metro itself had received a train set from Hyderabad during its initial days. Prathamesh Abnave, General Secretary of the Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress, said, 'Commuters in Pune are struggling with long wait times and overcrowded trains. Diverting the city's only reserved metro rake to another state without public or political consultation is unacceptable.' He alleged that the move is politically timed to ensure Patna Metro's symbolic launch before Bihar's elections, aiming to gain mileage for the ruling parties. Abnave questioned whether Pune's MP, MLAs, or the Guardian Minister were informed or consulted prior to this transfer. He also said that if the decision was not reversed, the Congress would protest at the Maha Metro office in Pune. Shravan Hardikar, Managing Director of Maha Metro, denied allegations that the move was politically motivated. He told The Indian Express, 'Nothing is politically motivated. It is basically putting the resources at proper value. We are supplying an adequate number of trains to the citizens of Pune. We are also working on increasing the frequency in Pune. One train per-se does not add to any additional frequency.' Pune Metro has ordered a total of 34 train sets, out of which 33 have been delivered by the manufacturer. With 1 train set being sent to Patna Metro, Pune Metro is left with 32 train sets, out of which 23 are used in daily operations and 9 are spare. A statement shared by Sonawane said, 'At present at peak-time trains are occupied with 60% of its total capacity. With the spare fleet Pune Metro can run services at every 6 min without affecting spare train sets and train sets kept for maintenance. Further efforts are on to reduce headway to 5 min. Pune Metro spared 1 train set to Patna Metro to earn from leasing. Had it been put into service it would have earned less than we are getting, besides its maintenance cost.' Soham is a Correspondent with the Indian Express in Pune. A journalism graduate, he was a fact-checker before joining the Express. Soham currently covers education and is also interested in civic issues, health, human rights, and politics. ... Read More
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Pune's Bhide bridge to be reopened temporarily by August 20 ahead of Ganeshotsav
Ahead of the upcoming 10-day Ganesh festival next month, the Bhide Bridge over the Mutha River in Pune — closed since April 20 to construct a foot overbridge — will be reopened by August 20 temporarily to help alleviate the congestion during the festive season. The Pune Metro has announced a temporary halt in construction activities during this period. Officials said that the bridge would be closed to traffic after the festival concludes. Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has stated that the Bhide Bridge connecting Shaniwar Peth to the Deccan Gymkhana area will be opened by August 20 to facilitate the movement of devotees during the festival. The immersion of Ganesh idols takes place in the artificial tanks set up alongside the river, and the parking of vehicles is also arranged in this area. Initially, the Pune Metro closed the bridge for one and a half months, from April 20 to June 6. However, traffic restrictions continued beyond the timeframe due to construction delays. Hemant Sonawane, executive director of Pune Metro, said, 'The Pune Metro will take a break in construction of the footover bridge and clear the Bhide bridge for use by citizens till August 20. It is not possible to complete the work before the Ganesh festival, and the work has to be resumed later on'. Additionally, another footover cable bridge has been nearly completed over the river connecting Shaniwar Peth with Bal Gandharva Metro station, but it is yet to be opened for public use. The two routes of Pune Metro rail are currently operational, and efforts are underway to develop additional infrastructure. The two foot overbridges being constructed by Pune Metro would enhance connectivity for residents of Shaniwar Peth, Narayan Peth, and Laxmi road to the Metro stations across the Mutha River. Currently, motorists are using alternative routes, including the Z-bridge, Lakdi Pool, and Bal Gandharva bridge to cross over to the Mutha River. Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune. He writes on Infrastructure, Politics, Civic issues, Sustainable Development and related stuff. He is a trekker and a sports enthusiast. Ajay has written research articles on the Conservancy staff that created a nationwide impact in framing policy to improve the condition of workers handling waste. Ajay has been consistently writing on politics and infrastructure. He brought to light the lack of basic infrastructure of school and hospital in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde even as two private helipads were developed by the leader who mostly commutes from Mumbai to Satara in helicopter. Ajay has been reporting on sustainable development initiatives that protects the environment while ensuring infrastructure development. ... Read More
Hindustan Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Union cabinet approves Phase 2 of Pune Metro, to cost ₹3,626 crore
NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved Phase 2 of the Pune Metro Rail Project from Vanaz to Chandani Chowk (Corridor 2A) and Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi (Corridor 2B) at a cost of ₹ 3626.24 crore as extensions of the existing Vanaz–Ramwadi corridor under Phase -1. Once these corridors are completed, the projected incremental daily ridership for the entire Line 2 is estimated at 96,000 in 2027, 2.01,000 in 2037, 2,87,000 in 2047, and 3,49,000 in 2057 (FILE ) These two elevated corridors will span 12.75km and include 13 stations connecting fast-developing suburbs such as Chandani Chowk, Bavdhan, Kothrud, Kharadi, and Wagholi. The project is scheduled for completion in four years, a government statement on the cabinet decision said. 'This strategic proposal is a logical extension of the existing Corridor-2. It aligns with the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), which envisions a continuous Chandani Chowk to Wagholi Metro corridor to strengthen East–West mass transit in Pune,' the statement said. These extensions would serve key IT hubs, commercial areas, educational institutions, and residential pockets, increasing the share of public transport and ridership across the network. The new corridors will also integrate at the District Court Interchange Station with Line-1 (Nigdi–Katraj) and Line-3 (Hinjewadi–District Court) to enable seamless multimodal urban travel, it added. 'The approval to extend Pune Metro's Vanaz- Ramwadi corridor is a welcome step aligned with the city's Comprehensive Mobility Plan. Connecting Wagholi and Bavdhan will offer faster, reliable transport to thousands,' Pranjal Kulkarni, program manager at the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, India, said. Kulkarni added that to encourage metro use, strong feeder and last-mile connectivity, especially seamless integration with PMPML (Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited) buses, was vital. 'Local area planning around stations, with better walkability, cycling infrastructure, and parking management, will also help boost ridership and ease traffic congestion,' he said.. The estimated project cost would be equally shared by the government of India, the Maharashtra government and external bilateral/multilateral agencies. The statement added that intercity bus services from cities such as Mumbai and Bengaluru would be integrated at Chandani Chowk, while those from Ahilya Nagar and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar will connect at Wagholi, allowing passengers to easily access Pune's metro system. These extensions will also help decongest arterial routes such as Paud Road and Nagar Road, offering safe, fast, and eco-friendly mobility options. Once these corridors are completed, the projected incremental daily ridership for the entire Line 2 is estimated at 96,000 in 2027, 2.01,000 in 2037, 2,87,000 in 2047, and 3,49,000 in 2057. The project would be implemented by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro), which would execute all civil, electro-mechanical, and related works. Pre-construction activities such as topographical survey and detailed design consultancy have already commenced, the statement added.
New Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Union Cabinet clears metro boost for Pune, major rehab push in Jharia, potato research hub in Agra
NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved three major development projects, including an extension of the Pune Metro, a revised rehabilitation plan for families displaced by coal fires in Jharkhand's Jharia coalfields, and the establishment of a regional centre of the International Potato Centre in Agra district of Uttar Pradesh. Among the approved projects is a Rs 3,626-crore extension of Pune Metro Line 2, which aims to improve urban mobility in one of Maharashtra's fastest-growing cities, second largest in the state and ninth in the country, Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 12.77-km elevated stretch will link Vanaz and Ramwadi areas of Pune and is expected to enhance last-mile connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and support the city's green mobility goals, the Minister added. 'The (upcoming) metro lines will further strengthen the transportation model of Pune and bolster the city's infrastructure in the years to come,' Vaishnaw asserted, adding that this would contribute to environmental benefits, reduce the cost of living, and make the Pune Metro one of the largest networks in the country, comparable to the likes of New Delhi.
Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Centre approves extension of Pune Metro to Chandani Chowk, Wagholi under phase-2
The Centre on Wednesday approved the extension of the Vanaz-Ramwadi route of the Pune Metro as part of works under phase 2. 'The extension of the Metro route from Vanaz to Chandani Chowk and from Ramwadi to Wagholi has received the Union government's approval. Work on the project will start soon,' said Union Minister of State for Aviation Murlidhar Mohol. The Pune Metro has two operational routes: from Vanaz to Ramwadi and from Pimpri Chinchwad to Swargate. Work has already started for extension of the Pimpri Chinchwad-Swargate route till Bhakti Shakti on the Pimpri Chinchwad side and till Katraj from Swargate. Mohol said the two elevated corridors will span 12.75 km and include 13 stations, connecting fast-developing suburbs such as Chandani Chowk, Bavdhan, Kothrud, Kharadi, and Wagholi. The project is scheduled for completion within four years. 'The estimated cost of the project is Rs 3,626.24 crore, which will be equally shared by the Union and state governments. This strategic proposal is a logical extension of the existing Corridor-2 and aligns with the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), which envisions a continuous corridor from Chandani Chowk to Wagholi Metro to strengthen East–West mass transit in Pune,' said Mohol. The extensions will serve key IT hubs, commercial areas, educational institutions, and residential pockets, increasing the share of public transport and ridership across the network, he said, adding that the new corridors will also integrate at the District Court Interchange Station with Line-1 (Nigdi–Katraj) and Line-3 (Hinjewadi–District Court) to enable seamless multimodal urban travel. The government, as part of its long-term mobility planning for Pune, will integrate the connectivity with intercity bus services from Mumbai and Bengaluru at Chandani Chowk, while those from Ahilya Nagar and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar will connect to Wagholi, allowing passengers to easily access Pune's Metro system. These extensions will also help decongest arterial routes such as Paud Road and Nagar Road, offering safe, fast, and eco-friendly mobility options, said Mohol. After completion of these corridors, the projected incremental daily ridership for the entire Chandani Chowk to Wagholi route is estimated to be 96,000 in 2027, 2.01 lakh in 2037, 2.87 lakh in 2047, and 3.49 lakh in 2057. Pre-construction activities such as topographical survey and detailed design consultancy have already commenced. Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune. He writes on Infrastructure, Politics, Civic issues, Sustainable Development and related stuff. He is a trekker and a sports enthusiast. Ajay has written research articles on the Conservancy staff that created a nationwide impact in framing policy to improve the condition of workers handling waste. Ajay has been consistently writing on politics and infrastructure. He brought to light the lack of basic infrastructure of school and hospital in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde even as two private helipads were developed by the leader who mostly commutes from Mumbai to Satara in helicopter. Ajay has been reporting on sustainable development initiatives that protects the environment while ensuring infrastructure development. ... Read More
