Pune, 25 April 2026: In a move that raises questions over planning priorities, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved proposals to extend metro services far beyond city limits, even as several existing routes remain incomplete or await approval.
The decisions were taken during the general body meeting through supplementary proposals introduced by corporators.
At present, Pune has only two operational metro corridors, while multiple planned routes are still stuck in various stages of approval and execution. Despite this, corporators have pushed for ambitious expansions, proposing that metro services be extended up to 20 kilometres outside the city.
The approved proposals include extending the Swargate–Katraj metro corridor to the Khed Shivapur toll plaza, the Khadakwasla route to Donje, the Wagholi corridor to Lonikand, and an additional stretch from Katraj to Undri. While these plans aim to improve connectivity, they also risk stretching already limited financial and administrative resources.
The proposal to extend the Swargate–Katraj line to Khed Shivapur was initially put forward by corporator Varsha Tapkir and had earlier been cleared by the city improvement committee. It was subsequently approved in the general body meeting along with other last-minute additions.
Some proposals appear to be driven more by aspirational or political considerations than concrete planning. For instance, the Khadakwasla–Donje extension is justified on the basis of weekend tourist traffic to Sinhagad and Panshet, while the Wagholi–Lonikand extension depends on future approvals from the state government that are yet to materialise.
Similarly, the proposed extension of the Katraj–Hinjawadi route to Undri via the outer ring road adds another layer of complexity to an already ambitious corridor. Authorities have suggested that MahaMetro may prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR), but no clear timelines or funding commitments have been outlined.
Although all proposals were passed unanimously, their practical viability remains uncertain. With existing metro projects still incomplete, the latest decisions highlight a growing gap between planning ambition and on-ground execution.
