This Tuesday, the Union minister of state and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol said that the long-pending plan to connect Pune International Airport at Lohegaon with the city’s Metro network has moved a step forward, with a “practical route” now finalised after discussions on six alternatives.
Finalization Of Direct Metro Link To Pune
Moving ahead, Mohol said the airport would now be directly linked through a Metro corridor while addressing reporters after a comprehensive review meeting of city projects.
Further adding, “It is essential that the international airport at Lohegaon is connected by Metro. After deliberations on six routes, a feasible alignment has been finalised. Work will begin soon.”
When it comes to the airport connectivity, it has been a long-standing demand, especially as passenger traffic at Pune International Airport has grown steadily over the past decade.
At present, the airport is accessible only by road, often leading to traffic bottlenecks on Nagar Road and surrounding areas.
Coming to the existing Metro line, it passes through Nagar Road and the closest station to the airport is currently at Ramwadi.
The instructions have been issued to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for a proposed Khadakwasla–Hinjewadi Metro corridor, according to Mohol.
Continued Expansion Of Pune’s Metro Network
This move further indicates continued expansion of Pune’s Metro network, the choice of corridor has surprised many.
The senior leaders had spoken about a Chandani Chowk–Hinjewadi link earlier, but the commuter groups have consistently demanded a Katraj–Hinjewadi Metro line, arguing that such a route could significantly ease congestion on the Mumbai–Bengaluru national highway (NH-48), particularly between Katraj, Wakad and Hinjewadi.
When it comes to the western bypass, the stretch witnesses heavy traffic daily due to IT parks in Hinjewadi, industrial hubs and rapidly growing residential pockets in south and southwest Pune.
An IT professional from Baner, Amol Deshmukh said, “If the aim is to reduce traffic load, a Katraj–Hinjewadi corridor would directly serve thousands of daily commuters. The Khadakwasla route does not address peak-hour congestion on the highway.”
Similarly, a resident of Katraj, Swati Jadhav, mentioned that a direct Metro link to Hinjewadi would be a “game changer” for office-goers. People spend nearly two hours one way, a fast mass transit option along this belt would pull private vehicles off the road.
In the meantime, Mohol also reviewed the Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar Metro line, being implemented by Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), which is 94% complete, and 13 of its 23 stations are expected to be ready by the end of April.
Mohol further mentioned that the work on the Vanaz–Chandani Chowk and Ramwadi–Wagholi Metro routes will begin soon.
Mohol reviewed 16 major development works, besides the Metro projects which includes road widening and beautification of key airport approach roads, river rejuvenation under the National River Conservation Plan, and the final phase of the equal water supply scheme.
Mohol also directed the officials to take immediate mitigation measures and clear encroachments from footpaths, citing rising pollution levels in recent days.
In addition to this, Mohol reviewed progress on the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College building and hostel project which was initiated during his tenure as standing committee chairman in the Pune Municipal Corporation.
This meeting was held at the Government Rest House and attended by civic commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, PMRDA commissioner Yogesh Mhase, Maha Metro executive director Shravan Hardikar, airport director Santosh Dhoke, and senior officials from various departments.
The development projects in Pune are being expedited, with the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and under the leadership of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and the BJP, Mohol said, which remains committed to completing them within stipulated timelines.
