Pune: The Swargate-Katraj underground metro route in Pune is set to commence its construction after December, once the ongoing tender process is finalized.
This metro line, which is a crucial part of Pune's transit infrastructure, aims to ease the city’s traffic woes, particularly in the densely populated southern areas of the city.
The foundation stone for this project was recently laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of the Civil Court-Swargate underground metro line.
Since then, the Pune Metro authorities have been preparing rigorously to start the actual work on the Swargate-Katraj extension.
Key Features
The Swargate-Katraj metro line will be entirely underground, stretching 5.46 kilometers. The line will include three major underground stations at Market Yard, Bibwewadi, and Balajinagar, connecting these areas to the Katraj suburb. This route will significantly reduce travel time for daily commuters who otherwise face heavy traffic congestion in these regions.
Length: 5.46 km (completely underground)
Stations: Market Yard, Bibwewadi, Balajinagar
Cost: Estimated at ₹2,954.53 crores
Completion Target: February 2029
Once the tender process is completed, the metro authorities will begin the challenging task of digging 100 feet underground for the line.
A detailed geological survey of the route has already been completed, which was a necessary step to assess the ground conditions and ensure the safety and efficiency of the project.
The metro line, once completed, will not only connect Swargate and Katraj but will eventually extend to Nigdi, further enhancing connectivity across Pune.
This metro expansion is expected to transform the public transport landscape of Pune, offering a reliable and fast alternative to road transport.
The funding for the Swargate-Katraj metro line will be shared equally by the Government of India, the Government of Maharashtra, and bilateral agencies.
Hemant Sonawane, Executive Director and General Manager of MahaMetro, stated, "We are all set to start the actual construction work on the Swargate-Katraj underground metro route after three months.
The tender process is in progress, and once that is finalized, we will move forward with the construction. We have already completed the geological survey necessary for this route."
