PMC hikes stakes in ₹4,283-cr metro line project

The Pune Municipal Corporation, which is already battling a funding shortage due to the pandemic, will now contribute 15 per cent of the total amount in the extension of the Swargate-Katraj metro rail line costing ₹4,283 crore. Commissioner Vikram Kumar has tabled a proposal in the standing committee to approve a 15 per cent financial contribution for the extension of the mega project. PMC standing committee chairman, Hemant Rasane, informed that in the total estimated cost of the project, PMC will have to contribute ₹733.85 crore including ₹248.62 crore of land acquisition and rehabilitation. As per Central government directives, PMC will have to increase its share in the project. In the existing Pune Metro project, which is underway between Swargate to Chinchwad and Vanaz to Ramwadi, PMC's financial contribution was only 10 per cent. As per Central urban development ministry officials, the Union government has reduced its financial contribution and instructed PMC to contribute 15 per cent of the overall project cost. In the new scheme of things, PMC and state will contribute 15 per cent each and centre will pitch in giving 10 per cent and remaining 60 per cent will be raised in the form of a loan. MahaMetro will follow up with the state and Central government for implementation of the project. According to the Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by Maha Metro last year, per km cost of the metro line is estimated to be ₹783.85 crore and the 5.4 km Swargate-Katraj stretch will be underground with four stations on the stretch, which is an extension of the Swargate-Nigdi line being developed by MahaMetro. The Swargate-Katraj Metro line's length 5.464 km and the name of four stations included Swargate, Gultekdi (Market yard), Sai baba Mandir and Katraj junction.