DCM Pawar proposes Metro Line-3 extension to Uruli Kanchan to ease congestion on Pune-Solapur Highway

Time of India

10-08-2025

Pune: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has proposed extension of Hadapsar–Loni Kalbhor Metro line to Uruli Kanchan to ease traffic congestion on Pune–Solapur highway.
The suggestion came during discussions on Pune city Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) tabled on Thursday, highlighting rapid population growth and increasing urbanisation in the city's eastern suburbs.
Pawar pointed out that while the Pune Metro network is designed to tackle traffic problems, the current Hadapsar–Loni Kalbhor alignment should be extended up to Uruli Kanchan. "Citizens have also raised concerns over worsening traffic snarls on the Pune-Solapur corridor and have demanded better connectivity," he said at the meeting.
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Maha Metro managing director Shravan Hardikar, who presented the CMP, told TOI on Saturday that, given the expected urbanisation and traffic growth over the next 30 years, the feasibility of extending the Metro beyond Loni Kalbhor to Uruli Kanchan would be studied.
"The state govt is yet to grant clearance for the extension from Hadapsar to Loni Kalbhor and Hadapsar to Saswad Road (under phase 3). If approved, this extension could be considered under phase 4 after DPR preparation and necessary clearances," he said.
The detailed project report (DPR) currently proposes an 11.35 km Hadapsar–Loni Kalbhor line with 10 stations, and a 5.57 km Hadapsar–Saswad Road Railway Station line with four stations.
The total estimated cost is ₹4,686 crore, with 20% funding each from the state and central govts, and 60% through loans. Stations on the Hadapsar–Loni Kalbhor stretch include Hadapsar Phata, Hadapsar bus depot, Akashwani-Hadapsar, Laxmi Colony, Manjari Phata, Draksha Baug, Toll Naka, Wak Vasti, and Loni Kalbhor.
The Hadapsar Bus Depot to Saswad Road line would serve Hadapsar Gliding Club, Fursungi IT Park, Sulabh Garden, and Saswad Road Railway Station areas.
The extension from Loni Kalbhor to Uruli Kanchan spans about 12 km, requiring detailed feasibility assessment.
Hardikar said the DCM's proposal during the CMP presentation was an additional suggestion, reflecting citizen demands for improved connectivity. He also added that Line 4, connecting Khadakwasla to Kharadi via Hadapsar, was in the final stages of clearance from the central govt.
The 23km Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar Metro-3 corridor is being implemented by Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) under a PPP model.
Earlier, PMRDA was supposed to extend the line up to Hadapsar, but following a Pune Metropolitan Transport Authority meeting, it was decided the extension could not proceed under the PPP model.
A senior PMRDA official said, "We proposed that the govt consider extending the line from Shivajinagar to Hadapsar connecting the IT hubs. However, it was decided to extend the connectivity through Khadakwasla line to Hadapsar and Loni Kalbhor."
The earlier Pune City CMP, prepared in 2018, has been revised to incorporate population projections up to 2054.
Accordingly, over 300 km of Metro network lines have been proposed. Operationally, Pune Metro made the first phase functional between Vanaz and Ramwadi and Pimpri Chinchwad and Swargate. Work is underway for extending routes from Swargate to Katraj and PCMC to Akurdi. Recent central govt approvals cover extensions from Vanaz to Chandni Chowk, Ramwadi to Vithalwadi, and Khadakwasla to Kharadi routes. Integration at the district court interchange station with Lines 1 (Nigdi–Katraj) and 3 (Hinjewadi–District Court) would enable seamless multimodal urban travel across Pune.
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