Pune: The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (MahaMetro) has put forward a request for an additional 15 land parcels from the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to facilitate the extension of the Metro line from Pimpri to Nigdi.

This comes after the Corporation had already provided land at ten strategic locations to the Pune Metro on a 30-year lease.

However, MahaMetro is now pressing for permanent ownership of these newly requested sites to ensure the stability of the project and to enhance non-fare revenue through commercial utilization.

The state government has issued directives to the PCMC Commissioner, urging the unconditional transfer of these lands to the Metro. A decision on this matter is still pending.

The request includes six plots at the Nigdi Bus Terminal, covering a total area of 3,562.293 square meters, as well as additional land and footpath spaces in Nigdi and Akurdi. In total, MahaMetro seeks 4,884 square meters of land, with the majority intended for permanent transfer.

This expansion is crucial for the development of four new Metro stations along the Pimpri-Nigdi route. The stations are planned at Chinchwad, Khandoba Mal Chowk in Akurdi, Tilak Chowk in Nigdi, and the Lokshahir Anna Bhau Sathe PMPML Depot at Bhakti-Shakti Sangam Shilp Chowk.

The land is needed for constructing stations, entryways, staircases, elevators, and parking facilities.

MahaMetro has emphasized the importance of securing these locations, stating that the land will be leased, and the rates will be determined after evaluation by the Urban Planning Department. Further action will be taken once a response is received, according to Additional Commissioner Vijaykumar Khorate.