By Kavita Mistry 
Union cabinet which is chaired by prime minister Narendra Modi approved two new Pune Metro corridors under phase 2 including the Line 4 from Kharadi to Khadakwasla and Line 4A from Nal Stop to Manik Baug.
How Did This Happen?
After this approval, only Hadapsar–Loni Kalbhor and Hadapsar–Saswad Road extensions under the phase are awaiting a green signal with the proposal as it is pending with the state government.
Coming to these recently approved lines together Line 4 and 4A, it will run 31.63 km with 28 elevated stations.
These new corridors are designed to link the key IT hubs, major office districts and educational institutions with the densely populated neighbourhoods across eastern, central, southern and western Pune.
This project is estimated to cost around ₹9,857.85 crore which will be financed jointly by the Centre, the state and international agencies.
They are expecting that the construction of this project will take five years.
It appears that these two new lines are part of the comprehensive mobility plan and in future it will be integrated with the existing and upcoming Pune Metro lines at Kharadi Bypass, Nal Stop and Swargate.
They have also planned a new interchange station at Hadapsar Railway Station and it will eventually be extended to the proposed Loni Kalbhor and Saswad Road stretches, strengthening multi-modal connectivity.
Under this approved project, they will be covering stations such as Kharadi IT Park, Magarpatta and Hadapsar, Solapur Road, Sinhagad Road, Karve Road, Warje and the Mumbai–Bengaluru Highway.
Easing The Congestion & Providing Reliable Public Transport
This network will significantly ease congestion on the city’s busiest stretches and offer a safer and more reliable public transport option, said the officials.
They are expecting the daily ridership on the two lines to reach 4.09 lakh in 2028 and is expected to rise to 7 lakh in 2038, 9.63 lakh in 2048 and over 11.7 lakh by 2058 as the Kharadi–Khadakwasla route expected to carry the largest share of passengers.
In this regard, the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) has commenced civil, systems and electrical work, and they have already started with the topographical surveys and design activities.
Pune Metro’s total network will cross 100 km after having the approval of Phase 2 corridors.
“Only the Hadapsar–Loni Kalbhor and Hadapsar–Saswad Road corridors are awaiting the state and Centre’s final sanction,” said Atul Gadgil, the director (works), Maha-Metro.
“A major boost to Pune’s public transport network. Cabinet has approved Phase-2 of Pune Metro (Lines 4 & 4A) connecting various areas of the city. The decision ensures a faster and more comfortable commute for the people of Pune, which is an important centre for growth and innovation, ” said the Prime minister Modi.
The Cabinet’s nod is a major boost for the city, said the Union minister Murlidhar Mohol further adding, “the new corridors will expand connectivity in all directions, linking residential areas with IT parks and commercial hubs. I thank prime minister Narendra Modi, Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for supporting the important project.”