Pune Metro Expansion in Pimpri Chinchwad Begins with Soil Testing Underway

Pimpri Chinchwad, 13th June 2024: The Pune Metro extension from Pimpri to Nigdi has commenced with a Bhoomi Pujan ceremony held before the Lok Sabha elections. The contract for constructing the viaduct along the route has been awarded to the Central Government’s Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). Currently, soil testing work is underway along the route. The majority of the metro work is planned to be completed in 130 weeks (2.5 years). If completed on schedule, the metro will begin operating up to Nigdi within three years.

Initially, the metro service was launched up to the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Bhavan. Residents of Pimpri Chinchwad had long demanded an extension of the metro line to Nigdi, leading to protests. In October 2023, the central government approved the Rs 910 crore project for extending the metro by 5.51 kilometers from Bhakti Shakti Samuhshilp to Mother Teresa Flyover in Chinchwad. RVNL secured the Rs 339 crore contract for the viaduct construction.

The metro route runs along the Old Mumbai Pune Highway in Pimpri Chinchwad, known for heavy traffic. Soil testing is being conducted by erecting security walls on the service road in this area. Following the completion of soil testing, actual construction will commence, with a projected timeline of 2.5 years for completion. Subsequent tenders will be issued for laying railway tracks, installing signal systems, ensuring power supply, constructing stations, and other related infrastructure. The entire project is scheduled for completion in 3 years and 3 months.

Once operational, the extended metro line will facilitate direct travel from Nigdi to Swargate.

Executive Director of Maha Metro, Hemant Sonawane, stated, “The soil testing work is currently in progress. Following this, the actual construction will commence. We are targeting and planning to complete the work within the specified timeframe.”