The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved Phase-2 of the Pune Metro Rail Project. This phase includes two elevated metro extensions—Vanaz to Chandani Chowk (Corridor 2A) and Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi (Corridor 2B)—which are extensions of the existing Vanaz–Ramwadi Line (Phase-1). The objective is to strengthen east-west connectivity across Pune.

The two corridors, entirely elevated, will span a total of 12.75 km and include 13 metro stations, covering important areas such as Chandani Chowk, Bavdhan, Kothrud, Kharadi, and Wagholi. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 36.26 billion. Funding will come from a mix of contributions by the central and state governments and loans from international agencies. The project is scheduled for completion within four years.

The implementing agency, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha-Metro), has already started pre-construction activities, including land surveys and design work. The station designs are nearly finalised, and contractor selection is expected in the coming months, with construction likely to commence by the end of the year.

Officials highlighted that the new corridors will connect Pune’s expanding eastern and western suburbs with the city’s core, providing improved access for thousands of residents. The Vanaz–Chandani Chowk section will stretch 1.12 km and feature two stations, while the Ramwadi–Wagholi line will run 11.63 km with 11 stations.

These metro extensions are expected to significantly benefit daily commuters by linking residential areas, IT hubs, and commercial zones, while also reducing congestion on major roads such as Paud Road and Ahmednagar Road. The new routes will be integrated with Line-1 (Nigdi–Katraj) and Line-3 (Hinjewadi–District Court) at the District Court interchange, supporting seamless multimodal connectivity.

Additionally, metro hubs at Chandani Chowk and Wagholi will be linked to bus terminals serving long-distance routes to cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, and Ahilya Nagar, contributing to the city’s broader plan for smart urban mobility.

News source: Hindustan Times