Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Expresses Gratitude as Maharashtra Cabinet Approves Pune Metro Expansion
Pune, 11th March 2024: The Maharashtra State Cabinet, in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has approved the extension of the Vanaz to Ramwadi section of Pune Metro Phase-I. The extension includes the Vanaz to Chandni Chowk and Ramwadi to Wagholi (Vitthal Wadi) projects. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who consistently advocated for this metro line through the Maharashtra Government, expressed gratitude to the Central Government and his colleagues in the state cabinet for approving these new routes.
Highlighting the importance of these projects for Pune’s transportation development, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar emphasized that regular reviews through the project control room in his office would ensure timely completion. The approved routes aim to provide an eco-friendly transportation option for citizens and alleviate traffic congestion in the city. Pawar stated that efforts will be made to commence work on these routes at the earliest.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) submitted the proposal for these projects through the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation. The extension of the Vanaz to Ramwadi line in Pune Mahanagar Metro Rail Project Phase-1 spans 1.12 km with two proposed stations. The Ramwadi to Wagholi (Vitthal Wadi) route is 11.63 km long with 11 proposed stations. The approval includes the implementation of a fully elevated metro rail project, covering a total length of 12.75 km with 13 elevated stations for Rs 3,756.58 crore through Mahametro. The central government subsidy will apply to the project cost of Rs 3,226.49 crore, with contributions from the Central and State Governments, loan assistance, and funding from bilateral and multilateral institutions.
In addition to the approved metro projects, the financial details and contributions for the Vanaz to Ramwadi section extension in Pune are as follows:
1. Interest-free secondary loan of the state government for state tax: Rs. 259 crore 65 lakh.
2. Interest-free secondary loan of the state government for land acquisition: Rs. 24 crore 86 lakh.
3. Interest-free secondary loan of the state government: Rs. 65 crore 34 lakh.
4. PMC’s contribution for land: Rs. 24 lakh.
5. Interest-free secondary loan of the state government for construction period interest: Rs. 180 crore.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been directed to provide financial assistance/land worth Rs. 24 lakh to Mahametro for PMC’s contribution towards land acquisition for the project. The State Government’s share in this project, amounting to Rs. 496 crore 73 lakh, has been approved to be made available to Mahametro.
The development and expansion of the city, coupled with industrial growth, underscore the need for efficient and eco-friendly public transport. The newly sanctioned metro lines are expected to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce pollution, and enhance connectivity between suburban areas and the city, providing faster transportation options for citizens. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has expressed confidence in the positive impact of these newly approved metro lines on improving the overall transportation landscape in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
