Two new stretches of Pune Metro open today, know all about

(Representative Image)

Pune, India (Metro Rail Today): The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) is anticipating a daily ridership of more than one lakh commuters following the inauguration of two new Pune Metro lines - Phugewadi to Civil Court and Ruby Hall to Garware College. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the extended passenger service on these stretches today.

The new stretches will facilitate seamless travel between Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) through the metro network, enhancing connectivity for thousands of daily passengers. With 11 stations, including two underground stations at Shivajinagar and Civil Court, the new routes will serve prominent areas such as PMC office, Pune RTO, Shivajinagar, Civil Court, and Pune Railway Station.

“The development of Maharashtra has paved the way for the industrial development of India since independence”, the Prime Minister remarked. Highlighting the need to further industrial development in the state, the Prime Minister highlighted the unprecedented investments being made by the government in Maharashtra.

He gave examples of the development of new expressways, railway routes and airports in the state. For the expansion of Railways, the Prime Minister informed that there has been a twelve-fold rise in expenditure when compared to before 2014. Various cities of Maharashtra are also connected to the economic hubs of neighboring states.

The Prime Minister gave examples of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail which will benefit both Maharashtra and Gujarat, the Delhi-Mumbai Economic Corridor which will connect Maharashtra with Madhya Pradesh and other states in North India, National Dedicated Freight Corridor which will transform the rail connectivity between Maharashtra and North India, and transmission line network to connect the state with Chhattisgarh, Telangana, other neighboring states which will benefit the industries, oil and gas pipelines, Aurangabad Industrial City, Navi Mumbai Airport, and Shendra Bidkin Industrial Park. He said that such projects have the capacity to enthuse new energy into the economy of Maharashtra.

The extended network is expected to significantly increase the metro's daily ridership. Atul Gadgil, the Director (Operation) of Maha-Metro, expressed optimism about more than one lakh commuters using the metro with the new routes from Vanaz to Ramwadi and Swargate to PCMC.

To ensure convenient access to metro stations, the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) will provide feeder services. Furthermore, the interchange facility at Civil Court Metro Station will enable passengers to switch between routes effortlessly, making travel from PCMC to Vanaz or Ruby Hall and vice versa a breeze.

To encourage ridership, Maha-Metro has introduced fare discounts. Students and weekend commuters will receive a 30% discount, while metro card holders are eligible for a 10% discount on fares ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 35. Travelers can purchase tickets through various payment options, including cash, credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and even WhatsApp.

The new Pune Metro lines hold immense significance for students heading to Wadia College campus, travelers going to Pune Railway Station, and residents visiting Pune RTO, District Court, and PMC office. The extended routes promise efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly travel options for Pune residents, making daily commuting a smoother and more enjoyable experience.