Special Correspondent
Pune: To improve accessibility and streamline travel, a new railway line connecting Rajewadi railway station to the upcoming international airport at Purandar has been proposed. The project is a part of Pune city’s comprehensive mobility plan, which aims to bolster regional connectivity and transportation infrastructure.
Integrated Transport Plan for the Region
Spanning 2,550 sq km, the integrated transport plan covers Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) areas. With an estimated budget of ₹1.26 lakh crore, the plan will be implemented in three phases.
Key components include metro expansion, strengthening the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML), developing bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors, and upgrading railway infrastructure.
Railway Connectivity Upgrades
As part of the plan, an outer railway bypass connecting Talegaon and Daund stations will be developed in two phases. The first phase involves a feeder service from Talegaon to Shikrapur via Uruli Kanchan, while the second phase will extend from Shikrapur to Daund.
On the Satara railway route, Jejuri and Rajewadi stations are the nearest to the planned airport, with Rajewadi being the closest. This makes it an ideal location for a dedicated railway spur line linking directly to the airport. Additionally, the expansion of the Pune-Lonavala railway line will support the outer railway bypass, easing traffic flow.
A proposal is also being considered to shift the passenger terminal from Fursungi station on the Pune-Miraj route to Shindawane.
Enhanced Road Connectivity
The transport plan places significant emphasis on road upgrades to improve access to the Purandar airport. Key infrastructure improvements are proposed for the following routes:
Dive Ghat via Hadapsar-Saswad
Saswad-Bopdev Road
Uruli Kanchan-Jejuri Road
Saswad-Kapurhol-Bhor Road
Khed-Shivapur-Saswad Link Road
These proposed upgrades in railway and road infrastructure aim to seamlessly integrate the new Purandar airport into Pune’s transport network, ensuring convenient and efficient travel for passengers.
