Pune Metro Expansion Gets Green Signal: ₹9,857 Crore Project to Boost City's Connectivity
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In a significant move, the Union Cabinet has approved ₹9,857.85 crore investment for the Pune Metro Phase 2 project, which will add 31.64 km of new corridors and 28 elevated stations to the city's metro network. This expansion will push Pune's sanctioned Metro rail network past 100 km, connecting key IT hubs, commercial zones, educational institutions, and dense residential areas across East, South, and West Pune. The project, to be implemented by Maha-Metro within five years, is jointly funded by the Union government, Maharashtra government, and external funding agencies. Line 4, stretching 25.518 km, will run from Kharadi IT Park to Khadakwasla, while Line 4A, covering 6.118 km, will connect Nal Stop to Warje and Manik Baug. The expansion aims to ease congestion, enhance connectivity, and promote sustainable urban transport in Pune. Official projections estimate initial daily ridership on these lines to be around 4.09 lakh passengers by 2028, expected to grow to over 11.7 lakh by 2058. The project targets some of Pune's most congested transit routes, including Solapur Road, Sinhagad Road, Magarpatta Road, Karve Road, and the Mumbai–Bengaluru Highway. By reducing private vehicle dependency and traffic congestion, the project aims to improve safety and promote green mobility. The approval of this project positions Pune among India's major metropolitan rail systems, alongside cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata, which have metro networks exceeding or nearing the 100-km scale. The Pune Metro Phase 2 project is set to transform the city's transportation landscape and support its growth into a smart city.
