The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the second phase of the Pune Metro project. Under this phase, two new elevated corridors will be constructed: Vanaz to Chandni Chowk (Corridor 2A) and Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi (Corridor 2B).
These two corridors are an extension of the existing Vanaz-Ramwadi route and are being developed to provide better traffic facilities between the east-west parts of Pune. The approximately 12.75 km long route will have a total of 13 stations, connecting areas like Chandni Chowk, Bavdhan, Kothrud, Kharadi, and Wagholi.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs 3626.24 crore, which will be completed in four years with the support of the Centre, state and international financial institutions.
The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) has already started preliminary works like survey and design. The Vanaz–Chandni Chowk corridor will be 1.12 km long and will have two stations, while the Ramwadi–Wagholi corridor will be 11.63 km long and will include 11 stations.
These routes will connect key residential, IT, and business areas of Pune and help reduce traffic congestion on Paud Road and Ahmednagar Road.
The new metro routes will connect Line-1 Nigdi–Katraj and Line-3 Hinjewadi–District Court at the District Court interchange, making the transport system more seamless and integrated.
Chandni Chowk and Wagholi will also be connected to long-distance bus services running to places like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Ahilyanagar.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis thanked the Prime Minister and called it a move to connect key areas. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said the decision will help reduce traffic, improve public transport, and comprehensive development of the city.
At present, Maha-Metro is working on the PCMC–Swargate and Vanaj–Ramwadi routes under Phase 1. Apart from this, work is also going on on the elevated extension from PCMC to Nigdi and the underground line from Swargate to Katraj.
