New Delhi, 02 November (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for Pune Metro projects worth approximately Rs. 21,800 crore on Tuesday. The projects include the inauguration of the Pink Line, built at a cost of more than Rs. 8,300 crore, and the launch of construction work on four corridors under Phase II, estimated to cost around Rs. 13,500 crore.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Monday, Modi will inaugurate the projects and lay the foundation stones through video conferencing at 12.30 pm on November 3. He will also address a gathering on the occasion.

The approximately 23-km-long Pink Line will connect Maan with the District Court Metro station, linking Pune’s major IT hub in Hinjawadi with Shivajinagar. The corridor is expected to significantly improve commuting convenience for thousands of IT professionals and other passengers travelling through the region.

A distinctive feature of the line is that it will be operated entirely by women train operators. Additionally, approximately 30 per cent of its total electricity requirements are expected to be met through solar energy.

The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for Phase II of the Pune Metro project, which has an estimated investment of around Rs. 13,500 crore. The expansion will comprise four corridors — Lines 2A, 2B, 4 and 4A — aimed at extending metro connectivity to the city’s major residential, commercial and IT hubs.

Under Phase II, Line 2A will connect Vanaz with Chandani Chowk, while Line 2B will link Ramwadi with Vitthalwadi. Together, these two corridors will cover approximately 12.75 km.

Meanwhile, the 25.52-km-long Line 4 will connect Kharadi with Khadakwasla, while the 6.12-km-long Line 4A will run between Nal Stop and Manik Baug.

The new corridors are expected to improve connectivity to several important localities, including Kharadi, Magarpatta, Hadapsar, Swargate, Manik Baug, Nanded City, Pune Cantonment and Warje. The extension of the metro network from Ramwadi to Vitthalwadi will also benefit residential, commercial and IT hubs in Kharadi and Wagholi.

According to the PMO statement, the new metro corridors will be integrated with the existing Pune Metro network and intercity bus services. Interchange facilities will be developed at Swargate, Nal Stop and Kharadi Bypass to facilitate smoother passenger movement between different parts of the city.

The projects are expected to strengthen Pune’s public transport infrastructure, reduce dependence on private vehicles, ease traffic congestion and help lower vehicular pollution. The expanded network is also expected to provide commuters with a more efficient and convenient urban transport system.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar