PUNE: The Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar metro will be extended to Phursungi IT Park via Hadapsar and will touch the Pune Ring Road. This was confirmed by Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA) Chief Kiran Gitte on Friday. 

Following the announcement on Thursday by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar Metro to be extended to Hadapsar, Gitte told media persons that the extended metro will be approved in December. 

The Tata-Siemens Joint Venture (JV) is set to start their work of metro project from the New Year. Gitte said the civil work is expected to start in January and PMRDA is in process of acquiring land for the project, to be handed over to the JV. 

Speaking on the extension of the route, Gitte said that keeping the demand of metro in mind the route is being extended till Hadapsar and passes via the Phursungi IT Park. “We are in process of planning the project report for the extension,” he added. 

Meanwhile, PMRDA is in process of acquiring land required for the project. “We need to hand over 36 hectares of land to the joint venture so they can start with the work. We had already started the land acquisition process so that now the venture can start with the work. We will need land to build the route, stations, parking lots and car shed.” added Gitte. 

Speaking on the design and naming of metro stations, Gitte said the JV is working on it. Speaking about the challenges, the PMRDA Chief said currently metro design at Chatuhshrungi bridge and Wakad bridge are a major challenge for the authority. 

“We have no plans of demolition currently and are looking for ways to build the metro. Demolishing the bridges would mean wasting public money, so we are looking for options,” added Gitte. 

The PMRDA will also be appointing an independent official to monitor the work of Tata-Siemens and also a director on the board to take decisions. “While Tata-Siemens is implementing the project, PMRDA holds the veto power,” added Gitte. 

THE PLANNED ROUTE OF HINJAWADI-PHURSUNGI IT PARK
Hinjawadi Megapolis Society-Quadron-Dholer-Infosys-Wipro-Shivaji Chowk-Hinjawadi-Wakad- Balewadi-NICMAR-Ram Nagar-Laxmi Nagar-Balewadi Phata-Baner Gaon-Baner-Sakal Nagar- SPPU-RBI Office-Agriculture College-Shivajinagar-Civil Court-Railway Colony-Collector’s Office-MG Road- Fashion Street-Mammadevi Chowk-Race Course-Kaluba Chowk-Vaidwadi-Hadapsar Phata-Hadapsar bus depot-Civil Aviation Ground-Phursungi IT Park- Sulabh Garden.