Maha Metro submits DPR of ₹4,940 crore, 44-km MetroNeo project for Pune

Pune, India (Metro Rail Today):  The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) has submitted the detailed project report (DPR) after deciding to have the MetroNeo system on the High-Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR) in Pune. It will be able to run the elevated Neo Metro on a circular route of 43.84 kilometres in the city which includes 45 stations. 

According to the DPR, the MetroNeo project could be completed in 2028-29 if it starts in December 2023 as planned. This project will cost Rs 4,940 crores. The DPR of the ‘HCMTR’ route has been submitted to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for review and approval.

The PMC finalised the ‘HCMTR’ project in its 1987 development plan. It was claimed that this route would smoothen the traffic. In 2017 four lanes on the ‘HCMTR’ route were proposed for private vehicles as well as BRT. But when the tenders were invited, the cost of the project was expected to be Rs 7,500 crores and the project was cancelled due to tenders beyond Rs 12,000 crores. Then, to provide better public service at a lower cost, the option of doing ‘Metro Neo’ on the route of ‘HCMTR’ came up. MahaMetro was given the task of preparing the DPR for the same. MahaMetro submitted the DPR of metro lines in Phase II to the PMC in August 2022. So recently the DPR of Neo-Metro was presented.

According to the DPR, a 43.84 km stretch of the Metro Neo system is proposed. This will start from Bopodi and connect Vishrantwadi with 45 stations at Ambedkar Chowk, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Senapati Bapat Road, Paudphata, Alankar Police Station, Siddhi Garden, Senadutt Police Chowky, Sanas Playground, Laxmi Narayan Chowk, City Pride, Market Yard, Gangadham Chowk, Bibvewadi, Lullanagar, Jambhulkar Chowk, Fatima Nagar, Ghorpadi, Pingle Basti, Wadgaon Sheri, Viman Nagar, Airport and Vishrantwadi. The Metro Neo project will connect densely populated areas and make them more and more accessible to citizens. 

The metro project costs at least Rs 250 crore for a kilometre. But the cost of the Metro Neo is relatively low. Therefore, this project is financially viable. Also, the Metro Neo requires less space. It will cost Rs 112 crore per kilometre as Pune city will have a metro of 43.84 kilometres. Meanwhile, the project is expected to cost Rs 3,867 crores. But the DPR states that the total cost of the project will be Rs 4940 crores taking into account the fact that inflation will increase by five per cent per annum while the project will be in progress and the interest on it.

The number of daily passengers will increase up to 2.75 lakhs in 2028, 4.71 lakhs in 2038, 6.50 lakhs in 2048 and 7.83 lakhs in 2058.

The first MetroNeo plan was conceptualised for Nashik city and the project is still waiting for the Centre's approval.