Pune: In a strategic move to enhance last-mile connectivity and tackle growing traffic congestion, the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) has unveiled plans to extend Pune’s metro network to key areas, including Lohegaon Airport and the rapidly developing southern suburbs of Kondhwa, Undri, NIBM, and Yewalewadi.
As part of the proposed expansion, a 3-kilometre metro spur is planned from the existing Ramwadi station to the Lohegaon Airport. Additionally, a 20-kilometre metro corridor will run from the Civil Court interchange station to Yewalewadi, with an extra branch extending to NIBM. This corridor is designed to bring metro access to high-demand residential pockets such as Kondhwa and Undri. To move forward, Maha-Metro has invited consultancy agencies to prepare both an Alternatives Analysis Report (AAR) and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for these new routes.
These expansions are expected to integrate with Pune Metro’s Line 3, which is currently under construction by the Tata-Siemens consortium. Upon completion of the DPR, Maha-Metro will determine whether to handle the development independently or align it with the existing Line 3 project. The AAR will assess various transit options—including metro rail and Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS)—based on factors such as cost, environmental impact, ridership potential, and compatibility with Pune’s current transport ecosystem. The DPR will provide a comprehensive roadmap for execution, including technical, financial, and scheduling aspects.
The proposed metro extensions come in response to persistent appeals from former local legislators in Wadgaon Sheri, as well as recent instructions from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation aimed at improving airport connectivity. Residents from areas such as Undri, Yewalewadi, and Kondhwa have welcomed the announcement, hopeful that the enhanced public transport network will significantly ease their commuting burdens and foster more sustainable urban development.
