PUNE: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar will review the timeline for completion of third Metro line from Hinjawadi to Shivajinagar as the concessionaire has sought an extension till Sept 2025 for execution of the project, PMRDA sources told TOI.
Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) officials said that the concessionaire has requested for revised timelines from the earlier target of March 2025. The integrated flyover segment, spanning from University Chowk to E-square junction, was initially targeted at Dec completion and is now projected to finish only by March-end.
The 23-km corridor has achieved 74% completion overall, while the crucial integrated flyover component stands at 65%. “Construction of ramp and deck slabs are still pending. We also need permissions for certain stretches, so the 1.7-km flyover work will not be fully completed until April 2025,” a source said. “The integrated flyover is a critical component. We cannot start operations without it.”
With Fadnavis being the PMRDA chairman and deputy CM Pawar to review the project, the revised timelines will be discussed, officials added.
Earlier in the year, Pawar had reviewed the project and directed the concessionaire to speed up the work. Ahead of the assembly polls, he had directed that work should be speeded up and quicker permissions be given for carrying out necessary traffic diversions. He had also directed that the work should be carried out 24×7.
Officials cited heavy traffic along the busy route as a major hurdle in completion of the flyover work despite regular review meetings to track its progress. The concessionaire reportedly deployed additional manpower to expedite work along the stretch. Issues related to multiple clearances for construction activities, including right of way and shifting of utilities, consumed considerable time, an official said. Permissions for installation of steel girders at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) Chowk were not granted ahead of elections and Diwali due to anticipated traffic congestion, further delaying the work.”This is the main arterial road and heavy traffic and VIP movement during election period prevented continuous work along the stretch,” a PMRDA official said. The proposed traffic diversions provided little relief to the situation.
While Metro stations between Maan and Balewadi Highstreet are expected to be operational by April, significant challenges remain for constructing stations along the University Chowk stretch, requiring road widening and removal of electricity pole.
The govt previously directed Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited to prioritise flyover completion from SPPU to E-Square junction by Nov. It was decided to expedite traffic diversion permissions and road widening at select points to minimise inconvenience to commuters.
The Centre had recently cleared another Rs 200 crore as part of viability gap funding for the project, in addition to Rs 400 crore cleared earlier. Of the total Rs 1,200 crore committed by the Centre, approximately Rs 600 crore has been released so far.
