In a significant development for Pune's infrastructure, local MLA Bhimrao Tapkir held a crucial meeting with officials from Maha Metro on Tuesday. The discussion centered on formulating a concrete execution plan for the recently approved 25-kilometre Khadakwasla-Swargate-Kharadi Metro line. This meeting comes just a week after the Union government gave its green signal to the elevated corridor.
Mapping the Route and Addressing Traffic Concerns
The approved elevated line is set to traverse some of Pune's most vital and congested arterial roads. The route will cover Sinhagad Road, Swargate, Hadapsar Road, Magarpatta Road, Kharadi, and Nagar Road. A primary directive from MLA Tapkir during the meeting was to create a comprehensive plan aimed at minimising public inconvenience and traffic chaos on these stretches during construction.
He emphasised the need for authorities to secure all necessary permissions on a priority basis to expedite the start of physical work. Preliminary estimates suggest that groundwork for this major project could begin next year, following the completion of technical formalities and detailed financial planning.
Resident Apprehensions and Official Assurances
Residents along the proposed corridor have expressed a mix of hope and concern. Narendra Deshmukh, a resident of Sinhagad Road, welcomed the long-awaited approval but stressed the need for a "foolproof" traffic regulation plan to reduce commuter hardships. "The work is going to hamper traffic movement," he acknowledged.
Echoing similar worries, Arun Swami, a Hadapsar resident, pointed to the perpetually heavy traffic on the stretch from Pulgate to Hadapsar. "We do not know how the authorities are going to construct the Metro line on this overcrowded stretch. Proper planning and adherence to deadlines are necessary," Swami stated.
Sources within the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) indicated that micro-level planning is essential, especially in areas with narrow roads and a lack of alternative routes. The construction will be undertaken in phases to manage disruptions.
Planning Stages and Traffic Management
Officials from Maha Metro confirmed that planning for the project has already been initiated. Some surveys and studies are slated to begin shortly, and the administration is in the process of appointing executing agencies. Detailed planning for managing vehicular commute and designing alternative routes will be fleshed out in the later stages, ahead of actual execution.
In a key assurance for daily commuters, the PMC and Maha Metro have clarified that traffic movement on the two newly constructed flyovers on Sinhagad Road will continue uninterrupted during Metro work. Provisions have been made to erect most of the Metro pillars in the space between the two flyovers.
This new Metro line will be elevated and is designed to connect with the existing Metro network at specific locations, promising better integration for Pune's growing rapid transit system.
