In a welcome news for commuters travelling amid Pune city and Hinjewadi, trial runs of the metro on Line 3 from Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar in both directions have been successfully completed thus bringing the project a step closer to commercial operations, likely by the end of March. Meanwhile, next week, flyover from Shivajinagar towards Baner and vice versa opens to the public.
Notably, the 23-km-long Line 3 of the Pune Metro, connecting Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar, is among the most anticipated public transport projects in the city, aimed at easing the daily ordeal of commuting through congested roads. The Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park at Hinjewadi employs over a lakh people, many of whom rely on the existing road infrastructure, which has been under severe strain in recent years.
The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) is executing Metro Line 3, being developed will be operated by a private firm under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. As per PMRDA official this is going to provide advanced, secure and fast metro service to citizens.
The official further added that Line 3 would be a “real game changer” for the city. “It will be beneficial for thousands of employees of Hinjewadi IT Park, students of educational institutes and citizens visiting main commercial establishments. It’s going to save a lot of travel time and reduce vehicular traffic congestion, reduce pollution and provide environment-friendly travel for the citizens.
According to PMRDA, an application seeking permission to begin commercial operations will be submitted to the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) shortly, and services are expected to commence, preferably before the end of March, following clearance. “The trial run of metro rail will continue almost every day from now. Work on the 23 stations is also progressing at rapid speed. Stations complete will be operational by March end, while the remaining will be opened as work is completed. Since development work will be evolving, stations will be skipped for the public.
PMRDA also announced that the double-decker flyover on Ganeshkhind Road near the Pune University junction will be fully operational within a week, bringing relief from traffic congestion on the stretch. Adding that the double-decker flyover will provide permanent relief for commuters using the road as it will end the problems due to traffic congestion. The work is in the last stages.
News Edit KV Raman
