Minor displacement likely on elevated Metro route from Shivajinagar to Pimpri

Earlier this week, the state government of Pune had approved the Pune metro rail project and decided to partially fund the project. It was announced that the state and central government would fund 20% each, while the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) would fund 10% each, of the total cost. The rest 50 % would be raised from private market.

Features and cost of construction

The metro rail project would be completed in 2 phases. Phase I would consist of Line 1 and Line 2, which runs from Chinchwad to Swargate and Vanaz to Ramwadi, respectively. Phase II would include Line 3 and Line 4 routes, which would run from Deccan Gymkhana to Bund Garden and from ASI to Hinjewadi, respectively. An area of about 16.59km would be covered by Line 1, while Line 2 would cover an area of about 15km. Line 3 would stretch a distance of 11km and line 4, 18 km. As per reports, the first phase would be completed at a cost of about Rs.6900 crores, and the second phase at a cost of approximately Rs.3224 crores.

PCMC commissioner announced that under the jurisdiction of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, there will be six metro stations, two on the right side and four on the left side. He also informed that the corridor from Pimpri-Chinchwad to Swargate, which stretches about 16.59km, will have left and right alignment from Shivajinagar to Pimpri. The route from Swargate to Shivajinagar would be built underground, and that from Shivajinagar to Pimpri, would be elevated. He informed that in Pimpri-Chinchwad, there is no scope of a major displacement. However, in case of land acquisition, dislocations and displacements on a small degree is expected to happen.

Alignment of the stations

There would be 6 stations on Line-1 that would run from Pimpri to Swargate. As per reports, the first station on Line 1 would be constructed in vicinity to the PCMC headquarters in Pimpri. The second station would be constructed near the State Transport Bus Stand in Vallabhnagar, which would prove beneficial for MSRTC passengers. From Vallabhnagar, the route will shift to right side of the Pune-Mumbai highway. The third metro station will be at Nashik Phata. The rest three stations would be constructed near the Forbes Marshall company, Phugewadi and Dapodi.

Experts say that the project would face land paucity on the routes planned. There would be shortage of land along the stretch of Pune-Mumbai Highway. The Harris Bridge and flyover at Nashik Phata Chowk may prove to be a hurdle for the implementation of the project. With the normal via-duct being 10metres wide, pedestrians would be left with almost no space on the road. This would cause safety issues and pose threat to the public. Land acquisition would be required, to continue with the project between Shivajinagar and Pimpri, due to shortage of land.