The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Pune Metro Rail Project Phase-2, which comprises two extensions of the existing Vanaz–Ramwadi corridor under Phase-1. These extensions include Corridor 2A (Vanaz to Chandani Chowk) and Corridor 2B (Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi). Both elevated corridors, covering a total length of 12.75 km with 13 stations, aim to connect rapidly developing suburbs such as Chandani Chowk, Bavdhan, Kothrud, Kharadi, and Wagholi. The project is planned for completion within four years.The estimated cost of the project is Rs 36.26 billion, with funding to be equally shared by the Government of India, Government of Maharashtra, and external bilateral or multilateral agencies. The proposal was described as a logical extension of the existing Corridor-2, aligned with the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), which envisions a continuous Metro corridor from Chandani Chowk to Wagholi to strengthen East–West mass transit in Pune.The corridors are expected to serve major IT hubs, commercial zones, educational institutions, and residential areas, thereby increasing public transport use and network ridership. They will also integrate at the District Court Interchange Station with Line-1 (Nigdi–Katraj) and Line-3 (Hinjewadi–District Court), facilitating seamless multimodal urban travel.Under long-term plans, intercity bus services from cities such as Mumbai and Bengaluru will be integrated at Chandani Chowk, while those from Ahilya Nagar and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar will connect at Wagholi, ensuring better accessibility to Pune’s Metro system. The project is also expected to ease congestion on key arterial routes like Paud Road and Nagar Road, offering safer, faster, and environmentally friendly mobility options.Upon completion, the incremental daily ridership for the entire Line 2 is projected at 0.96 lakh in 2027, 2.01 lakh in 2037, 2.87 lakh in 2047, and 3.49 lakh in 2057. Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha-Metro) will be responsible for implementing the project, covering civil, electro-mechanical, and related works. Pre-construction activities, including topographical surveys and detailed design consultancy, are already underway.This expansion is expected to unlock Pune’s economic potential, strengthen urban transport infrastructure, and contribute significantly to sustainable and inclusive growth in the metropolitan region.News source: PIB