- By Priyanka Koul
- Mon, 18 Nov 2024 12:33 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pune Metro Expansion: Exciting News for Pune Commuters! Pune’s metro system is growing at a fast pace, transforming the city's public transport and making daily commutes quicker, smoother, and more comfortable. Two metro corridors—Pimpri-Swargate and Vanaz-Ramwadi—are already proving to be a hit, with more than 1.25 lakh people using the metro every day. These air-conditioned trains provide a faster and more efficient alternative to traveling by road, making it easier to get around the city, reports Pune News.
Chandrakant Patil, Maharashtra’s Minister for Higher and Technical Education, has confirmed that these new metro routes will improve connectivity across Pune, making travel more convenient for everyone.
The Pune metro expansion will not only give commuters an efficient travel option but also help reduce traffic congestion on Pune's busiest roads. Key routes like Sinhgad Road, Karve Road, and Solapur Road will experience less traffic as more people opt for the metro.
The Maharashtra Metro (MahaMetro) project is an example of how significant strides have already been made in easing the traffic burden on these key routes. With approval from the state government, Pune Metro work is underway on new corridors, such as Swargate-Khadakwasla and Swargate-Hadapsar-Kharadi, which are set to further improve travel across the city.
As of now, Pune has 32 kilometers of operational metro routes, including a 5-kilometer underground stretch from Shivajinagar to Swargate. The central government has also approved a new 6-kilometer underground metro line from Swargate to Katraj, which will be inaugurated soon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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Additionally, the state government has submitted proposals to extend two major corridors to the central government for approval: Swargate to Hadapsar-Kharadi and Swargate to Khadakwasla. These extensions will further improve the city's metro connectivity.
There are several key metro projects currently under construction:
Pimpri-Nigdi Route: This will extend the metro network to Pune's northern areas.
Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar Route: Connecting the IT hub of Hinjewadi with the city center, making it easier for IT professionals to commute.
Furthermore, several new metro routes are under consideration:
- Vanaz to Chandni Chowk
- Nal Stop to Warje
- Hinjewadi to Chandni Chowk
The Hinjewadi to Chandni Chowk route is particularly being reviewed for approval, and it could soon become a reality.
Why is This Expansion So Important?
This project is highly anticipated by Pune commuters, as it will help in reducing traffic congestion. New routes will ease jams on major roads like Sinhgad Road, Karve Road, and Solapur Road. It will also provide better accessibility—expanded routes will make commuting easier for residents, connecting areas like IT hubs and residential neighborhoods.
The metro system will also promote eco-friendly transport, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional road transport and helping reduce air pollution. With the new metro lines in place, commuters will save considerable travel time, improving daily efficiency.
Chandrakant Patil also praised the success of Pune’s metro, which first began operations on December 24, 2016, under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi. Due to the positive response from commuters, the state government has fast-tracked the expansion of the metro system to improve urban mobility.
With ongoing support from both the state and central governments, Pune’s metro network is poised for rapid growth. This will create a more connected, efficient, and sustainable transport solution for the city’s growing population.