Pune: Pimpri Chinchwad to Nigdi metro rail extension approved by the Union Government

The Union Government has given approval for the extension of the Pune Metro from Pimpri Chinchwad to Nigdi on Corridor One. Work on the 4.4 km stretch is expected to cost over Rs 910 crore and take over three years to be completed.

The metro currently runs up to Shivajinagar Civil Court, the interchange station. From there, commuters have to catch another metro train to go to Vanaaz, Ruby Hall or the Pune railway station.

The ministry letter said, “Maha Metro shall function as a special purpose vehicle for the implementation of the project, which shall be jointly and equally owned by the Government of India and Government of Maharashtra. PCMC-Nigdi Project will cover 4.413 km with 3 elevated stations.”

Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation said it has already floated tenders for appointing a general consultancy to speed up the work as well as for making a social impact assessment of the project. In three to four months, tenders for the civil, electrical and signal works will be drawn, the contractors will be appointed and the work will start.

With this approval, the Pune Metro network will expand to a total length of 37.613 km, incorporating 33 stations.

Shravan Hardikar, Managing Director, Maharashtra Metro, said the work will be completed in three years and meet the community needs of lakhs of people living in these areas.