PUNE: The first and second phase of the metro work, which is from Nigdi to Range Hills, will soon start in the limits of Khadki Cantonment Board (KCB) and at College of Military Engineering (CME), informed officials of Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited.
The total area involved for this project is 42,213 sq mt, wherein there will be two stations in KCB limits acquiring land of 5,798 sq mt and there will be only one station opposite CME main gate acquiring land of 2,127 sq mt, which will be used as parking space.
While discussing the metro project, Rajendra Pawar, Defence Estates Officer (DEO), Pune circle, said, “The local military authority (LMA) of Khadki, along with us, has sent a recommendation to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on February 28. Now it is pending with MoD. As per Transfer for Defense Land for Public Utilisation policy, the in-principle approval has to be given in three months from receipt of the proposal. Based on the approval of MoD, the work will start. The rest 34,288 sq mt will be used for the metro pillars.”
He further added, “The metro will pass through the middle of the widened Pune-Mumbai highway. The Defence Ministry will first hand over the land to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), after which the civic body will transfer it to Maha Metro for construction work. There will be two stations in KCB limits, one near the existing Khadki railway station and the second will be at Range Hills.
The entire stretch of 1.91 km of Metro will be elevated.”
When asked about the establishments that are going to be erased for the metro project, Pawar said, “There will be several establishments and structures, which will be erased for the metro project.
According to me, the shops along the highway opposite Khadki railway station will have to be removed. Also, Jai Hind theatre will have to be pulled down. This is some of the information, which I am aware of, but the exact removal of these establishments and structures will only be confirmed after we get the approval from MoD.”
NO PROPOSAL FOR PCB YET
Pawar also stated that they did not receive any metro proposal for Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) by Maha Metro authorities. “After they submit the proposal to us, we will verify it and forward it for approval to MoD. After that, it will take three months for their approval after which the work will be executed."