PUNE: The state govt on Monday approved the plan to extend Metro on the Ramwadi-Wagholi and Vanaz-Chandni Chowk sections. The proposal will now be sent to the Centre for further clearances.
Maha Metro officials said the Ramwadi-Wagholi extension would cover a distance of 11.63km and have 12 stations, while the Vanaz-Chandni Chowk stretch will cover 1.12km with two stations.
“Both the stretches will be completely elevated and cost an estimated Rs 3,756.58 crore, including Rs 496.73 crore from state and Centre. About 1,936 crore will be raised in loans from financial institutions,” a Maha Metro official said.
The Maha Metro has already submitted the detailed project reports of both the extensions to PMC. “Govt has declared both extensions as ‘public project of urgency’ and ‘vital urban transport project’ to ensure their speedy execution,” the official said.
“Govt’s approval to two extensions connecting the city’s eastern boundary (Wagholi) to the western areas (Chandni Chowk) is a welcome move. We just hope that the works on both the lines start at the earliest,” a former corporator from the Nagar Road area said.
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said the approval to Metro extensions help people from suburbs connect to city’s central areas.
According to an official statement, the HMRTC is making substantial strides in advancing multiple metro projects across the state, with the aim of fortifying connectivity and enriching public transportation alternatives.
