Latest news with #HemantSonawane
Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Building Pune: Pune Metro takes up designing of stations in Kharadi-Khadakwasla route, begins preparing DPR for Kharadi to Airport
With the major work of Pune Metro's first phase almost complete, the authorities have begun the planning of the second phase by undertaking the designing of 14 of the proposed 22 elevated stations on the Kharadi-Khadakwasla corridor of Pune Metro rail. It has also started the process of preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Kharadi to Pune airport connectivity and a spur line from Kondhwa. The Maharashtra government in October last year approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to implement Phase Two of Pune Metro which included two routes of 25.8 km from Khadakwasla to Kharadi via Swargate and Hadapsar with 22 stations at a cost of Rs 8,131 crore as well as 6 km from Nal Stop to Manik Baug via Warje with six stations for Rs 1,765 crore. However, the proposal on Phase Two is pending with the Central Government for final approval. 'The Pune Metro has started the detailed design consultancy services for 14 elevated stations on the Kharadi-Khadakwasla Corridor. This is the preliminary work required for the implementation of the project. It will save time for actual work on site, which will begin only after the approval of the union government,' said Hemant Sonawane, Executive Director of Pune Metro Rail. The work of Phase One is nearing completion as the work on Khadki Metro station is almost over, he said, adding that the work of the foot overbridge across the Mutha River will also be completed soon. The Pune Metro has also undertaken the work to prepare the DPR for new corridors providing connectivity to Pune Airport in Lohegaon and a spur line to Kondhwa, Yewalewadi, and Undri area, said Sonawane. The first phase of Pune Metro has been completed and has become operational with service from Vanaz to Ramwadi and PCMC to Swargate. The extension work has begun on routes such as from Swargate to Katraj and PCMC to Nigdi, while Vanaz to Chandni Chowk and Ramwadi to Wagholi extensions are awaiting Central Government approval. The detailed designing of Metro stations includes preparing general arrangement drawings, interface drawings, and detailed design and drawings, keeping in view of the economy and aesthetic considerations. The stations will be planned for six coaches, and each station will have conceptual and preliminary designs. All the station buildings have been envisaged as fully compliant with the requirements of solar energy utilisation. The provision for property development integrated with stations at all stations will be explored to boost non-fare revenue. The authorities will also explore the feasibility of introducing one additional floor above or below the platform level, and all stations will be designed as per IGBC Green Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) norms to obtain the highest rating. The Swargate North Station is to be connected with the Swargate Metro station of the PCMC-Swargate corridor through a pedestrian foot overbridge (FOB) or underpass, whichever is deemed suitable. Kharadi Chowk Metro station is to be connected with the Kharadi Junction interchange Metro station of the Ramwadi-Wagholi corridor through a FOB. Two pedestrian FOBs are proposed for the Hadapsar Railway Metro station — the first one of length 350 m is proposed to integrate the Metro station with Hadapsar Station of the Railways, and another 450 metres is proposed to cross the state highway 27. Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune. He writes on Infrastructure, Politics, Civic issues, Sustainable Development and related stuff. He is a trekker and a sports enthusiast. Ajay has written research articles on the Conservancy staff that created a nationwide impact in framing policy to improve the condition of workers handling waste. Ajay has been consistently writing on politics and infrastructure. He brought to light the lack of basic infrastructure of school and hospital in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde even as two private helipads were developed by the leader who mostly commutes from Mumbai to Satara in helicopter. Ajay has been reporting on sustainable development initiatives that protects the environment while ensuring infrastructure development. ... Read More
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Building Pune: First cable-stayed bridge across Mutha River to be ready by the end of May, accessing metro to get easier
Pune residents will soon get the city's first cable-stayed bridge across the Mutha River, enabling pedestrians to not only cross the river easily but also offering them a breathtaking view of the same. Officials said the work of the much-awaited Veena-shaped pedestrian bridge linking Chhatrapati Sambhaji Park metro station to Shaniwar Peth is nearing completion. 'The Pune metro will finish its work by the end of this month,' said Hemant Sonawane, Executive Director, Pune Metro. It will provide easy access to metro commuters from the old part of the city, which includes the peth areas and central marketplace on Laxmi Road and Kumthekar Road, the official added. Meanwhile, the Pune Metro has set a deadline of June 15 for completing another pedestrian bridge across the Mutha River connecting Deccan metro station and Narayan Peth. This bridge would be beneficial for students studying in schools, colleges, and coaching classes for competitive exams to commute to and from the metro station without any hassle, said Sonawane. The Sambhaji Park and Deccan metro stations have been built along the Mutha riverbank, enabling easy access from only one side of the city through the J M Road. However, those residing across the river would also be able to easily access the two metro stations after the inauguration of the two pedestrian bridges. The Pune Metro is also planning to connect the two metro stations with another foot overbridge. Pune Metro officials said they hope the footfall will increase after the foot overbridge is ready. For the construction of the foot overbridge, the vehicular bridge over the Mutha riverbed has been closed to the public. Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune. He writes on Infrastructure, Politics, Civic issues, Sustainable Development and related stuff. He is a trekker and a sports enthusiast. Ajay has written research articles on the Conservancy staff that created a nationwide impact in framing policy to improve the condition of workers handling waste. Ajay has been consistently writing on politics and infrastructure. He brought to light the lack of basic infrastructure of school and hospital in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde even as two private helipads were developed by the leader who mostly commutes from Mumbai to Satara in helicopter. Ajay has been reporting on sustainable development initiatives that protects the environment while ensuring infrastructure development. ... Read More
Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Pune Metro crosses 1-lakh milestone in smartcard sales
Pune Metro has crossed a key milestone by issuing over one lakh smartcards, reflecting the growing acceptance of its cashless ticketing system among city commuters. With Phase 1 of the Metro now fully operational — covering the Vanaz to Ramwadi and PCMC to Swargate routes — the service has steadily gained the trust of Punekars as a reliable mode of public transport. The metro's daily ridership currently stands at around 1.6 lakh passengers. Work on the expansion of Phase 1 is also progressing, with construction underway for the extended route from PCMC to Nigdi, and the tendering process in progress for the proposed underground corridor from Swargate to Katraj. Among the various ticketing options available — including ticket vending machines, WhatsApp ticketing, kiosks, and counters — the smartcard has emerged as the most preferred choice, thanks to its convenience and ease of use. On August 12, 2023, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched the 'One Pune Metro Card' (NCMC-compliant), and as of April 21, 2025, Pune Metro has sold over 1 lakh cards. Of these, 58,277 are 'One Pune Cards', 23,378 are student pass cards, and 18,389 are non-KYC cards. Currently, nearly 80% of Pune Metro's revenue comes through digital payments, making it the leading metro network in the country in terms of digital transactions. There are three types of Pune Metro cards, including one Pune card, a student pass card, and a non-KYC card. 'Commuters using these smartcards benefit from fare discounts — 10% on weekdays and 30% on weekends for One Pune and Non-KYC cards. These cards allow seamless travel by simply tapping at the AFC gates during entry and exit, eliminating the need to queue for tickets. The fare is automatically deducted based on the distance travelled,' said Hemant Sonawane, Pune Metro director (Administration and Public Relations).
