Pune Metro Update

Pune’s metro rail project is slated to start functioning in April 2013. According to the proposed fare rates, long distance travel works out to less than a rupee per km.Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has prepared a detailed schedule of implementation of phase I of the project. Last week, a team of DMRC officials presented its preliminary report before the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) standing committee. DMRC stated that construction of phase I of the project would begin in July next year and be completed by end of March 2013.
The PMC has appointed DRMC as consultant for preparing the detailed project report of the ambitious project aimed at improving the city’s chaotic traffic condition.DMRC has suggested that construction of the over 80 km-stretch of metro network would be undertaken in three phases. Phase I involves creating a network of 39.5 km, phase II covers 34.5 km and phase III 9 km.
It has estimated that it would cost PMC about Rs 12,880 crore for construction of the first phase. In phase I, barring a stretch of 7 km, the rest of the construction would be on an elevated platform.Phase I of the project will connect Pimpri-Chinchwad-Swargate (16.5 km), Aundh-Kalyani Nagar (14 km) and Agriculture College-J M Road-Mhatre Bridge-Swargate (9 km).
As far as the fare structure is concerned, DMRC has sug gested that the charge for travelling up to 2 km would cost Rs 8, from 2 to 4 km it would be Rs 10. For travelling from 9 to 12 km, the fare would be Rs 15.Those wanting to travel 21 to 24 km would have to pay Rs 20 and beyond 27 km the charge would be Rs 23. DMRC has pointed out that the underground stations of the project would be fully airconditioned and the tunnels ventilated.
The collection of fares from commuters would be automated with the use of smart cards and tokens. The PMC is serious about the metro project and shall implement it.The DMRC would now prepare a detailed project report of the project covering all engineering and technical aspects of the project.It shall also suggest how we could raise funds for the project.