Pune Metro Proposes Additional Station at Balaji Nagar on Swargate-Katraj Underground Route
Pune Metro Proposes Additional Station at Balaji Nagar on Swargate-Katraj Underground Route
The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (Maha-Metro) has proposed an additional metro station at Balaji Nagar on the Swargate-Katraj underground route, following demands from elected representatives and local residents. The proposal, submitted to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), aims to enhance accessibility and ridership on the line.
Key Details of the Proposal
Existing Plan: According to the approved Detailed Project Report (DPR), the Swargate-Katraj extension includes three underground stations: Market Yard, Padmavati, and Katraj.
Proposed Change: Maha-Metro seeks to add a fourth station at Balaji Nagar to reduce inter-station distances and improve coverage for nearby areas like Dhankawadi and Bibvewadi.
Civic Approval: PMC’s municipal commissioner Rajendra Bhosale stated that the approval is sought with the condition that there will be no additional financial burden on the civic body.
Benefits and Feasibility
Shravan Hardikar, Managing Director of Maha-Metro, emphasized that the proposed station is justified given the potential increase in ridership and the ongoing development in Balaji Nagar’s vicinity. The feasibility of the station has been confirmed through technical scrutiny.
The average inter-station distance on this 5.463 km extension is currently 1.9 km. Introducing the Balaji Nagar station will align the distance with Metro standards, reducing it to approximately 1 to 1.5 km.
Cost and Context
In 2021, PMC approved the Swargate-Katraj extension with an estimated project cost of ₹2,954.53 crore. The project, implemented by Maha-Metro, is a joint venture of the central and state governments. Similar additions have been made on the PCMC-Nigdi extension line, where a fourth station was introduced after approval from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.
Progress and Future Plans
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently laid the foundation stone for the Swargate-Katraj underground route. Meanwhile, operational phases of Pune Metro’s first phase, including the PCMC-Swargate and Vanaz-Ramwadi corridors, are ongoing.
Additionally, pending proposals include extensions from Nal Stop to Manikbaug via Warje, Vanaz to Chandni Chowk, and a new route connecting Khadakwasla to Kharadi via Hadapsar.
