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Work has started on the long-awaited Swargate-Katraj underground Metro line in Pune, marking an important step in expanding the city's public transport network. The 5.46-km corridor will extend the existing Pune Metro route from Swargate towards Katraj and is expected to improve connectivity in southern parts of the city.
Pune Underground Metro
The entire stretch will run underground, and five stations are planned along the route: Market Yard, Padmavati, Bibwewadi, Balajinagar and Katraj. The project had planned for only three stations, but two more were later added to improve connectivity for residents in important residential and commercial areas.
Maha Metro has begun the preliminary work needed for underground construction, including digging shafts that will support the tunnel-building process. Moreover, four Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) are planned for the project, and two machines will work towards Katraj, while the other two will work towards Swargate, allowing construction to progress from both directions.
Pune's Swargate-Katraj Extension
The Swargate-Katraj extension was approved by the Union Cabinet in August 2024. The project has an estimated cost of around Rs 2,954 crore. It will also connect with the existing Swargate Metro station and the city's multimodal transport hub, which includes PMPML and MSRTC bus services. This is expected to make transfers between different modes of transport easier for commuters.
The extension is particularly important for people living in southern Pune, as the area has witnessed rapid development and increasing traffic. The Metro is expected to provide a faster alternative to road transport, reduce pressure on busy roads and make daily travel more convenient.
According to Maha Metro, the underground corridor is targeted for completion by December 2029. Once operational, it will strengthen Pune's north-south Metro connectivity and help passengers travel more easily between Katraj and other parts of the city.