Pune: The Pune Metro service extending to Swargate metro station is expected to commence before the Ganeshotsav festival. The construction work on the underground metro route from District Court to Swargate is 95 per cent complete and is scheduled for completion by the end of July.
With the possibility of the assembly election code of conduct coming into effect in September, MahaMetro has planned to inaugurate the service before the festival.
The metro route from District Court to Swargate spans 3.64 kilometers and includes three stations: Budhwar Peth, Mandai, and Swargate. A test run was conducted on this underground route in February.
The segment from District Court to Budhwar Peth passes beneath the Mutha River, marking the first instance in the city’s history where a metro line runs under a river.
Sources indicate that the route’s construction is nearing completion, with the final touches expected to be finished by the end of July.
Upon completion of the construction, the Metro Railway Safety Commissioner will be invited to inspect the route. Following the inspection and approval, MahaMetro will submit a proposal to the state government to begin service on this route.
The metro service is likely to start in September, considering the potential implementation of the election code of conduct by the end of the month, which could delay the service inauguration.
Convenience for Devotees in Central Areas
The central parts of the city, home to prominent Ganpati idols, see a large influx of devotees during Ganeshotsav. The commencement of metro service on the District Court to Swargate route will provide significant convenience to devotees, who often face difficulties traveling by vehicle due to heavy crowds. The metro will offer a reliable alternative for reaching these central areas.
"The construction work on the metro route from District Court to Swargate is 95 per cent complete and will be finished by the end of July. We are aiming to start the service before Ganeshotsav," said Atul Gadgil, Director, MahaMetro.