Pune, 11 July 2025: Nearly a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Swargate-Katraj elevated metro corridor, actual construction work on the project is yet to begin. Officials now estimate that it will take at least another two to three months before physical work on the ground commences, marking a major delay in Pune’s metro expansion timeline.
The Swargate-Katraj metro stretch was granted approval by the central government in August 2024, following which the virtual groundbreaking ceremony took place on September 29, 2024. The same event also marked the inauguration of the Swargate-Mahatma Phule Mandai underground route.
However, while the underground section became operational, the elevated corridor remains untouched. MahaMetro officials explained that the tender committee will soon meet to decide the contractor, following which loan approvals from financial institutions will be processed. Only after these steps are completed will the actual construction begin.
Simultaneously, efforts to build a large-scale commercial complex above the Swargate Metro Station under a public-private partnership (PPP) model are also ongoing. The proposed six-storey hub will house banks, a theatre, shopping mall, hospital, offices, and a substantial parking area.
However, MahaMetro has faced setbacks in attracting interest from private developers. Despite floating tenders twice, no bids were received. As a result, a fresh round of tenders is being planned to push the project forward.
Meanwhile, progress is more visible on the Pimpri-Chinchwad to Nigdi extended metro corridor. MahaMetro has placed an order for 12 new three-coach metro trains to serve this line, aiming to ensure seamless operation upon completion of construction. These new coaches, totaling 36 in number, will also support the Swargate-Katraj route once it is operational. The trains will be delivered in phases over the next 30 months.
The train sets have been commissioned from Titagarh Rail Systems Limited and Titagarh Firema, with the total contract valued at ₹430.53 crore. Entirely made in India, the new trains are constructed from lightweight aluminium and will feature full air-conditioning, automatic doors, onboard digital displays and announcements, and charging points. With these additions, Pune Metro's total fleet will expand to 46 trainsets, including the existing 34.
While construction on the Swargate-Katraj route remains stalled, MahaMetro confirmed that six companies have submitted bids for the corridor. These proposals will now undergo rigorous technical and financial scrutiny by the tender committee, a process expected to take around 2 to 3 months. The development signals cautious progress but also highlights the delays and bureaucratic steps that continue to slow down Pune’s metro infrastructure rollout.