Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the Pune Metro line, incorporating a world-class infrastructure for commuters. The entire project, which is a 12 km stretch of the total 32.2 km, is estimated to cost more than Rs 11,400 crore.
The Prime Minister also took the Metro ride from Garware to Anandnagar Metro station to examine the exhibition at Garware Metro station and address a rally at MIT ground. “It is estimated that the urban population will be more than 60 crores by 2030. The increasing urban population brings several opportunities and challenges. Flyovers in cities can be constructed up to certain limits only. In such a situation, the only option is to increase the mass transportation infrastructure in the country. Our government is focusing on means of mass transportation, especially the Metro connectivity,” said PM Modi while addressing a public meeting after inaugurating a Metro Rail line in Pune. “Now, the Metro services have either become operational in more than two dozen cities of the country or they are approaching completions,” PM Modi said.
With the commencement of the Pune Metro, the Prime Minister said it will increase the mobility of people and eliminate the stress of traffic jams and pollution. It will also reduce carbon emissions, he added. The Prime Minister noted that mass transportation, especially Metro connectivity, is the need of the hour.
By the end of this year, MahaMetro has a target of establishing a 33.29 km network. Till now, the construction has been completed up to 11.97 km, and in the next ten months, the target is to complete 21.32 km.
From next year, Pune residents will be able to avail the facilities of the Metro all across the city. However, after PM Modi’s inauguration, the residents will be able to commute by Metro. Pune Metro is the first project that uses body coaches made of aluminium that is manufactured in India as a part of the “Make in India” initiative. During the Metro ride, PM Modi also interacted with several students, including differently-abled students and some visually impaired children.
The foundation stone of this project, which was laid on 24 December 2016, is a joint venture between the Centre and the Maharashtra government. The work was expected to be completed by 2021; but due to the pandemic, the project was delayed by more than a year. The project is funded by a €600 million bilateral loan from the European Investment Bank and €245 million from the AFD.
The Pune Metro phase-1 consists of a 16.58 km Corridor-1 with 14 stations from Pimpri Chinchwad to Swargate and a 14.66 km Corridor-2 with 16 stations from Vanaz to Ramwadi. At present, the 12-km long stretch, inaugurated on Sunday, is divided into 10 stations. The Metro will run 27 trains daily on both routes. Commuters will be able to travel on two routes, one from Vanaz to Garware College, the other from PCMC to Phugewalu Metro Station. The Metro can carry 325 passengers at a time, and only the double vaccinated will be allowed to travel. As of now, the ticket costs Rs 10 for the first three stops, and then the price has been increased to Rs 20 after that. A separate compartment for women will also be established.
PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for the Mula-Mutha River projects in Pune, which would rejuvenate the river and reduce pollution. The project, which cost more than Rs 1080 crore, will restore a 9-km stretch of the river. Other events, including the unveiling of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Pune Municipal Corporation grounds and the inauguration of the golden jubilee celebrations of Symbiosis University, also took place.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray skipped the event, citing no reason. The National Congress Party also held a silent protest during the inauguration.