Union Cabinet Approves Phase 2 of Pune Metro Rail Project

New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI) The Union Cabinet gave the green light on Wednesday for Phase 2 of the Pune Metro Rail Project, featuring two elevated corridors covering a stretch of 12.75 km. This ambitious project comes with an investment of Rs 3,626 crore.

The approval was granted during a Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Phase 2 consists of two corridors: Vanaz to Chandani Chowk and Ramwadi to Wagholi, extending the existing Vanaz–Ramwadi corridor established in Phase 1. "These elevated corridors will extend over 12.75 km and feature 13 stations, serving rapidly developing suburbs like Chandani Chowk, Bavdhan, Kothrud, Kharadi, and Wagholi. The project's completion is set for four years," announced Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Prime Minister Modi took to X, highlighting Pune's overall development, which significantly contributes to the national economy. The expansion of Pune's Metro network aims to accelerate growth, boost public transport, and simplify daily life for residents, he added.

According to Vaishnaw, the project's total estimated cost of Rs 3,626.24 crore will be equally shared by the Government of India, the Government of Maharashtra, and external bilateral/multilateral agencies. "This strategic proposal serves as a logical extension of the existing Corridor-2 and fits seamlessly into the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), envisioning a continuous Chandani Chowk to Wagholi Metro corridor to bolster Pune's East–West mass transit," explained Vaishnaw.

The proposed extensions will enhance connectivity to key IT hubs, commercial zones, educational institutions, and residential areas, auguring well for increased public transport use and ridership. "These new corridors will seamlessly integrate at the District Court Interchange Station with Line-1 (Nigdi–Katraj) and Line-3 (Hinjewadi–District Court), ensuring smooth multimodal urban travel," the minister highlighted.

As part of a long-term mobility plan, intercity bus services from cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru will connect at Chandani Chowk, while services from Ahilya Nagar and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar will link to Wagholi. This setup will facilitate easy access to Pune's Metro system. "These extensions will also help alleviate the congestion on arterial roads such as Paud Road and Nagar Road, providing safe, fast, and eco-friendly transit options," Vaishnaw added.

Upon completion, the anticipated incremental daily ridership for the entire Line-2 is projected to be 0.96 lakh in 2027, 2.01 lakh in 2037, 2.87 lakh in 2047, and 3.49 lakh in 2057. Maha-Metro, also known as Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited, will oversee the implementation, handling all civil, electro-mechanical, and related works. Vaishnaw stated that preliminary activities, including topographical surveys and detailed design consultancy, are already underway.

This strategic expansion is set to unlock Pune's economic potential, improve urban transport infrastructure, and contribute significantly to sustainable and inclusive development across the metropolitan region, emphasized Vaishnaw.

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