Nearly four months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Pune Metro’s Swargate-Katraj extension, construction work is yet to commence. The Pune Metro authority is in the final stages of selecting an agency to undertake the project, which includes constructing 5.463 km of twin tunnels and four underground stations, according to Indian Express.
Project Expansion and Approval
Approved in 2021 at an estimated cost of Rs 2,945 crore, the Swargate-Katraj extension initially included three stations—Market Yard, Padmavati, and Katraj. However, following public demand, a fourth station at Balajinagar was recently added, with approval from the civic body.
“The work of the underground Metro rail route and four stations from Swargate to Katraj will be executed by one agency. It will soon be finalized, and construction will begin at the site,” stated Hemant Sonawane, Executive Director of Pune Metro to Indian Express.
The project will involve specialized tunneling work using a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) to construct the twin tunnels. Once initiated, the construction is expected to proceed at an accelerated pace.
The Pune Metro’s first phase, comprising the Vanaz-Ramwadi and Pimpri Chinchwad-Swargate routes, is now fully operational. The underground route from Shivajinagar to Swargate, operational since September 2024, demonstrates the Metro’s ability to navigate dense urban areas.
Meanwhile, the elevated extension from Pimpri Chinchwad to Nigdi is already under construction. Pune Metro is also awaiting approval for its second phase, which will connect Khadakwasla to Kharadi via Swargate and Hadapsar, linking to the current network at SNDT College station.