Pune Metro network to be expanded to 200 km, announces CM Fadnavis at Metro Bhavan inauguration
Pune: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday announced an ambitious expansion of the Pune Metro network to 200 kilometres, as he inaugurated the new Metro Bhavan and state-of-the-art control room in the city.
The announcement took centre stage at the inauguration ceremony, with Fadnavis outlining a comprehensive vision for integrating Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the PMRDA areas under an expanded Metro umbrella. “The expansion will ensure complete integration of Pune Municipal Corporation, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the PMRDA areas,” he stated, setting the target for the network’s growth from its current operational stretches.
Inaugurating the MahaMetro Pune Project’s Metro Bhavan, the Chief Minister described the facility as the “heart” of Metro operations, housing automatic signalling systems, command and control centres, and disaster management infrastructure. “This is not just an office building but the dedicated home of Pune Metro, equipped with state-of-the-art technology to ensure passenger safety and seamless travel,” he said.
Fadnavis directed officials to accelerate project execution to meet the expanded target, aiming to complete work in three years instead of five, aligning with global standards. He lauded the MahaMetro team for executing one of the fastest Metro construction projects in the country.
The Chief Minister highlighted Pune Metro’s overwhelming public response, with daily ridership crossing 2.5 lakh passengers. During the recent Ganesh festival, the network set a new record by ferrying nearly 5.75 lakh passengers in a single day, underscoring the urgent need for network expansion.
Drawing attention to Pune’s evolving economic landscape, Fadnavis noted that the city is emerging as a hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs). “Maharashtra is the first state in the country to formulate a GCC policy, and Pune has taken a giant leap in this sector,” he added.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar, Minister Chandrakant Patil, Minister of State Madhuri Misal, MP Dr Medha Kulkarni, MLA Bhimrao Tapkir, Pune Mayor Manjusha Nagpure, and other dignitaries.
