Maharashtra Cabinet clears new metro routes and stations in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Additional underground stations approved on the Swargate–Katraj corridor.
State sanctions share for long-pending Pune–Lonavala third and fourth railway lines.
Pune, 4th September 2025: The Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday approved major decisions that will expand Pune’s transport network, giving a boost to the metro project across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and clearing the long-delayed Pune–Lonavala third and fourth railway line.
The state government has given consent for external loan agreements and financial arrangements to extend the city’s metro network. The expansion covers new corridors including Vanaz–Chandni Chowk, Ramwadi–Wagholi, Khadakwasla–Swargate–Hadapsar–Kharadi, and Warje–Manikbaug, along with the Swargate–Katraj underground stretch.
Once central approval comes through, MahaMetro will begin the tendering process and construction is expected to gather pace.
As part of the Swargate–Katraj corridor, two additional underground stations at Bibwewadi and Balajinagar have been sanctioned at a cost of ₹683 crore. The funding will be shared between Pune Municipal Corporation, European Investment Bank loans, and the state government.
With these additions, the corridor will include Swargate, City Pride, Bibwewadi, Balajinagar, and Katraj stations, improving access for residents in South Pune.
In another major move, the Cabinet approved the Pune–Lonavala third and fourth railway lines, a project pending for years. The estimated cost is ₹5,100 crore, to be shared equally by the state and central governments.
Of the state’s ₹2,550 crore share, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporations will contribute ₹510 crore each, PMRDA will add ₹765 crore, and the rest will come from the state. The project is expected to ease pressure on suburban trains and strengthen the Pune–Mumbai rail link.
Together, these decisions mark a significant step towards improving connectivity in Pune, balancing the city’s metro expansion with stronger suburban railway capacity.
