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It has been a year since Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation stone for the 5.5 km underground Swargate-Katraj Metro line; however, actual construction has yet to begin. The PM inaugurated the project on September 29 last year after his Pune visit was cancelled due to heavy rain.
Since then, Metro authorities have been preparing the plan, and Officials stated it may take another two months to complete paperwork and gain approvals before the final start.
Connecting Routes and Commuters' Disappointment
Five stations are planned on this route, in Balajinagar and Bibvewadi, which were added after the foundation ceremony. This has transformed the tendering process and delayed it. Daily commuters on this stretch are disappointed with the slow progress. Anup Satav, who travels from Katraj to Khadki, stated that metro work in the city was already slow, and delays would worsen the process. He added that while PMPML buses run between Swargate and Katraj, the Metro would have given faster and direct connectivity to areas like Pimpri.
Maha Metro's Addition of Stations
Maha Metro, which is handling the project, is currently appointing a construction agency. Officials stated the plan is ready, but a few technical decisions are still pending. Twin tunnels will be built from the existing Swargate underground station toward Katraj. The addition of two extra stations has increased the project cost to ₹3,637 crore, and it will be funded by the PMC, state, and central governments, as well as financial institutions.
Commuters' Rising Demands to Improve Metro Services
Metro services till Swargate have already started, and the station opened on September 29 last year. However, passengers at Swargate station are demanding better facilities. They want more entry and exit points, proper parking spaces, and improved mobile network coverage. Currently, only one entry at Jedhe Chowk is open, while the one near Ganesh Kala Krida Manch and the subway to the MSRTC bus stand are yet to be completed.
