PMRDA hastens Phase-III of ₹8,313-cr metro line

The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has hastened the 23.3-km-long, 8-km of which (from Hinjewadi to Balewadi) will be elevated and entail an investment of ₹8,313 crore. The stretch falls under the third Metro line aimed at addressing the traffic woes faced by nearly 2 lakh IT professionals working at the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi. Official sources said that the construction will be carried out in two phases. While the Hinjewadi to Balewadi stretch will be operational next year, the one between Balewadi and Civil Court will be taken up in the next phase. There will be 23 stations along the stretch, informed PMRDA commissioner Vikram Kumar and adde that construction will commence this year after soil testing and signing of the formal agreement with the infra major. PMRDA has set a target to complete the first phase of 8-km by next year and is keen to make the entire stretch of 23 kms operational in the next two years. The soil testing work for erecting the pillars is expected to start shortly with barricades being put up at Hinjewadi. The joint working group from both PMRDA and Tata Realty are expected to submit their report shortly.