Swargate-Katraj metro gets ₹3,000-cr extension

The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro) recently claimed that it is in the final stage of preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for the Swargate-Katraj metro extension with both the elevated and underground options, said an official spokesperson, elaborating that the underground alignment will be stressed on in the DPR. The extension commanding a length of 6-km, will cost ₹3,000 crore. The elevated option, while longer at 11.5km and cheaper at ₹2,750 crore, but it would be a challenge to implement, as it runs through narrow and congested areas. The DPR is ready and is being handed over to Pune Municipal Corporation soon, MahaMetro managing director Brijesh Dixit said, claiming that the DPR of the Swargate-Katraj route has been in the making for a long time. The MahaMetro had studied several options for the alignment after taking into account suggestions sent by representatives. The MahaMetro is also working out the financial viability of the elevated and underground options. The elevated alignment has many obstructions and the flyover at Dhankawdi would prove to be a major challenge. The underground stretch will not have too many diversions as MahaMetro is in the process of constructing a 5-km underground route between Range Hills and Swargate, which is part of Line 1 of the Pune Metro rail project. The route starts at Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation and culminates at Swargate. The Metro will go underground after the Range Hills station, near College of Agriculture in Shivajinagar, said an official spokesprson.