PCMC-Nigdi metro route Greenlit, Swargate-Katraj route under scrutiny

While the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to Nigdi metro route has received approval from the Public Investment Board (PIB), the Swargate to Katraj metro route, which is planned to be underground, is currently undergoing PIB scrutiny and is expected to take more time for approval. The estimated cost for the PCMC to Nigdi elevated metro route stands at Rs 9.1 billion, while the Swargate to Katraj underground metro route is projected to cost Rs36.63 billion.Shravan Hardikar, the Managing Director of Maha-Metro, informed, We recently presented the PCMC to Nigdi extended metro route to the PIB. The PIB will now prepare meeting minutes and recommend it to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). Subsequently, MoHUA will issue an official notification. The process is in its final stages.Regarding the Swargate to Katraj metro route, Hardikar explained, We have submitted a proposal to MoHUA, which is currently under scrutiny. Afterward, it will be forwarded to the PIB. Given the higher estimated cost, the proposal will be presented to the union cabinet for final approval.In the meantime, Maha-Metro has plans to complete the Ruby Hall Clinic to Ramwadi stretch within the next few months. Simultaneously, the Civil Court to Swargate stretch is in its final stages and is expected to be completed by December. Hemant Sonawane, the Executive Director of Maha-Metro, anticipates that both extensions will be fully operational by the end of the year.