The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) has prepared to start work on a set of metro extensions after elected representatives submitted several proposals to the City Improvement Committee (CIC) of the Pune Municipal Corporation. The submissions seek to widen the network across Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad and are likely to be taken up for discussion in the committee later this week. Corporators said expanding metro services has become increasingly important as road traffic continues to rise across the city and that a stronger metro network can reduce travel time and offer a dependable public transport option for daily commuters.

Among the key suggestions is a metro line connecting Katraj to Dehu Road that would pass through growing residential and commercial areas along the Katraj-Dehu Road Bypass, including Wadgaon, Warje, Bavdhan, Sus, Baner-Balewadi, Wakad and Punawale. Certain parts of this corridor are already covered by existing plans, notably the Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar line near Balewadi, but a direct extension to Dehu Road has not been planned previously.

Corporators representing Yerawada and Vishrantwadi have proposed extensions in the eastern suburbs, including a route from Yerawada to Ambedkar Chowk and further along Vishrantwadi and Alandi Road. They have also recommended a link towards Lohegaon airport to address congestion and to support the area's rapid growth.

There is also a proposal to extend the Vanaz-Chandni Chowk route up to Pirangut, driven by rapid development beyond Chandni Chowk and the view that terminating the line at Chandni Chowk may not be sufficient in the long term. The CIC is expected to review the set of proposals in its upcoming meeting and, if they receive approval, the plans will be referred to the general body for a final decision.

The committee had recently cleared an extension from Katraj to Khed Shivapur, which reflects ongoing efforts to expand the metro network across the region. Any move from proposal to construction will require detailed feasibility work, environmental clearances and funding approvals before implementation can proceed.