Maha Metro to engage Design Consultant for Pune Metro Extension Project

Pune, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant stride, the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) has initiated work on the extended underground segment of the Pune Metro, stretching from Swargate to Katraj. The corporation has taken the crucial step of engaging a design consultant to oversee the architectural and tunnel ventilation system for this underground extension.

A tender was floated on December 12, 2023, seeking the services of a consultant for the detailed design of metro stations and tunnels. The pre-bidding meeting is scheduled for January 27, 2024, at the metro office in Shivajinagar. The appointed consultant will handle aspects such as architectural and tunnel ventilation system design, simulation of stations and tunnels, environmental control system (ECS), and building management system (BMS) for the Swargate to Katraj stretch.

The extended underground stretch is anticipated to benefit residents in various areas, including Padmavati, Gul Tekdi, Market Yard, Dhankawadi, Bibwewadi, Balaji Nagar, Sainath Nagar, Katraj, and Ambegaon.

Although the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) cleared the 5.4-kilometer Swargate-Katraj underground metro extension in September 2021, gaining state government approval in April 2022, and subsequently forwarding it to the central government, local representatives are advocating for an additional metro station near Bharati Vidyapeeth or Balaji Nagar due to the absence of a station between Padmavati and Katraj.

Atul Gadgil, director (works), mentioned that the proposal is currently with the Public Investment Board (PIB), with an anticipated meeting later in the month. The corporation has prepped tender work in advance to expedite extension work post-central government approval.

The Swargate-Katraj underground metro route is estimated to cost ₹3,668 crore. The PIB's approval is crucial for the project, and after obtaining it, the proposal will proceed to the Union cabinet for final clearance. The anticipated completion date for the project, subject to central government approval, is April 2027. The funding structure involves the state government contributing ₹891 crore, the PMC providing ₹655 crore, and a ₹300 crore request from the Centre. Additionally, Maha Metro plans to secure ₹1,803 crore through soft loans.