Infrastructure Upgrade: Groundwork Begins on Pune Metro’s Swargate–Katraj Underground Extension

Ziya Khan

Construction has officially commenced on Pune Metro’s highly anticipated underground extension stretching from Swargate to Katraj, marked by the initial excavation work at the busy Market Yard station. The inauguration of the site excavation was led by MLA Madhuri Misal, who also inspected the ongoing site preparations along the corridor.

To facilitate underground operations, Maha Metro has initiated the digging of launch shafts required to deploy Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). Over the coming months, a total of four TBMs will be systematically lowered into the ground to execute the tunneling phase.

Key Highlights of the Swargate–Katraj Metro Line

Simultaneous Construction: Station development and tunnel boring will progress concurrently. Because the alignment is completely underground, vehicular traffic along major routes will remain largely unaffected, with road space utilized only for designated station access shafts.

Traffic Adjustments: Strategic barricading has been set up along Satara Road, accompanied by the temporary removal of select Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes to accommodate heavy equipment and shaft construction.

Corridor Specifications: Extending 5.46 kilometers south from the existing PCMC–Swargate line, this fully underground Phase-1 extension serves as Line 1B.

Expanded Station List: Designed to serve high-density residential belts, the route includes five strategically placed underground stations: Market Yard, Padmavati, Bibwewadi, Balaji Nagar, and Katraj.

Strategic Connectivity: The extension directly connects key residential and commercial hubs including Dhankawadi, Bibwewadi, and Balaji Nagar, alongside major landmarks like the Market Yard wholesale market and Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. At its southern terminus in Katraj, the line integrates directly with the PMPML bus depot, Katraj-Kondhwa Road, and the Katraj Bypass leading to the Mumbai–Bangalore Highway.

In a complementary development aimed at improving regional transit, feeder rickshaw services were officially launched across Pimpri-Chinchwad metro stations. Spearheaded by Mayor Ravi Landge alongside Pune Metro, PCMC, and the Maharashtra Rickshaw Panchayat, the joint initiative focuses on enhancing last-mile connectivity for daily commuters.

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