Pune: Additional Stations on Swargate-Katraj Metro Corridor to Delay Project, Increase Cost to ₹3,637 Crore
The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) has announced the addition of two new stations to the Swargate-Katraj underground metro extension, delaying the project by two months and increasing the total cost to ₹3,637 crore. The decision follows a request from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and has led to the cancellation of the previously issued tender.
The Swargate-Katraj extension, spanning 5.5 km, was initially planned with three stations: Market Yard, Padmavati, and Katraj. However, concerns over large gaps between stations prompted demands from Dhankawdi residents for an additional stop. After a study, Maha-Metro approved the Balajinagar station two months ago. Recently, Deputy Chief Minister and Pune Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar proposed another station at Bibwewadi, which was approved by PMC at a recent general meeting.
The addition of these two stations has escalated the project cost by ₹683 crore, with PMC’s share increasing from ₹181 crore to ₹250 crore. While the state government will provide partial funding, Maha-Metro will secure a loan for the remaining amount. Shravan Hardikar, Managing Director of Maha-Metro, confirmed that a new tender would be floated soon and assured that there are no land acquisition issues for the new stations.
The revised proposal has been forwarded to the state and central governments for approval. Once approved, the project will proceed with five stations: Katraj, Balajinagar, Padmavati, Bibwewadi, and Market Yard.
