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Indian Express
7 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Fire audit of all hospitals soon: PMC commissioner
Newly appointed municipal commissioner Naval Kishore Ram on Monday said a fire audit of all hospitals in the city will be conducted soon to avoid any fire breakout. 'Any fire breakout in hospitals leads to major casualties. Hence, I have decided to conduct a fire audit of all hospitals in the city in the next 15 days,' Ram said. There are 19 civic-run maternity homes, 53 OPDs and two hospitals and 870 registered private hospitals in the city. Citing the slow implementation of the River Rejuvenation Project, the municipal commissioner said he would focus on improving the condition of Mula and Mutha rivers that cuts across the city while giving priority to citizens by listening to them and solving their grievances. 'The river rejuvenation project was proposed long ago, and I heard about it five years ago during my tenure as Pune collector. I want to speed up the project as it will change the city,' said Ram, who took over as commissioner of Pune Municipal Corporation on Saturday. He said the Pune Metro project is another mega project on which he would be focusing to resolve any land acquisition issues. Drinking water is going to be a serious issue in the city due to urbanisation and hence its management will be given prime importance, said Ram.
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
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Digital Metro Ticketing Crosses 50% Mark; Fare Revenue, Ridership on the Rise
Nagpur: Metro has marked a major shift in commuter behaviour, with over half of its daily passengers now opting for digital ticketing modes. Data from reveals that online transactions via UPI, Maha Card (National Common Mobility Card), POS, and the recently introduced WhatsApp ticketing have consistently accounted for 49% to 51% of daily ticket sales in recent weeks. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This marks a sharp increase from March 2024, when the share stood at 41%. , which completed two years of operations in December 2024, experienced steady growth in ridership and . In the 2023-24 fiscal year, the Metro recorded over 25.5 million passengers and earned Rs41.87 crore in fare box revenue, with digital payments contributing more than Rs17 crore—around 41%. This trend continued into 2024-25, with revenue increasing to Rs44.1 crore, with over Rs22 crore revenue generated through online first four months of 2025 further underlined this trend. Between January and April, Metro clocked an average daily ridership of around 91,000, with monthly totals reaching approximately 27.28 lakh. The one-lakh daily ridership milestone was frequently crossed during this period, indicating consistent public attribute this digital push in part to the launch of WhatsApp ticketing in June 2024. "Within its first week, WhatsApp ticketing crossed 1,000 daily users, and it has only grown since," a MahaMetro official said. Additionally, the Metro's decision to revise and reduce fare slabs in March 2024 played a vital role in boosting footfall, making the service more accessible and appealing to cost-conscious compared with other Maharashtra cities, Nagpur stands out. The Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1, which started in November 2023, recorded only 1.65 million passengers and Rs4.42 crore in fare revenue in 2023-24. Of this, just 35% came via digital transactions. Pune Metro, however, continues to lead in digital adoption, with an average of 75% daily digital usage, occasionally reaching as high as 82%.With its growing ridership and increasing digital penetration, Nagpur Metro is emerging as a regional benchmark for efficient, tech-driven urban mobility. Sources indicate that the annual report accounts for data only up to March 2024, and the actual digital percentage may have already surpassed the 50% mark.
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Building Pune: Ten more double-decker bridges proposed by Pune civic body in city
After successfully constructing a double-decker bridge with a metro route on top on Karve road and Ganeshkhind road, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has proposed ten more such bridges in various parts of the city to ease vehicular traffic. The PMC will join hands with the agency implementing the metro project in the city for the double decker bridge. The cost of the first floor for vehicular traffic is borne by the civic body while the top floor is constructed with funds for metro projects. The double-decker bridge at Nal Stop on Karve road is jointly constructed by PMC and Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (Maha-Metro) and is currently operational. The double-decker bridge on Ganeshkhind road is being jointly constructed by PMC and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), developing the metro rail route from Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar. The double-decker bridges have been proposed at Mundhwa Mahatma Phule chowk, Kalubai chowk on Solapur road, Dandekar Pul chowk, Wagholi Awhalwadi chowk, Ambedkar chowk in Warje, Kothrud Bus depot in Bhusari colony, Golibar Maidan chowk, Viman Nagar chowk, Wanowrie Fatimanagar chowk and Ravidarshan in Manjari. The civic body has sought financial assistance for the construction of the first floor of the bridge and requires Rs 60 crore for Mundhwa Mahatma Phule chowk, Rs 35 crore for Kalubai chowk on Solapur road and Rs 45 crore for Dandekar Pul chowk. 'The double decker bridges in parts of the city have been proposed on routes of the elevated metro. This has been done as no infrastructure project can be taken up after construction of elevated metro routes on city roads from where the metro route is passing,' said Yuvraj Deshmukh, Chief Engineer of PMC. The metro routes pass through city roads and taking up any infrastructure work like flyovers, underpasses or grade separators to cater to increased vehicular traffic in the future will not be possible due to elevated metro having big pillars on the road and bridge on the top, he said. Deshmukh said, 'A feasibility study is being done by the civic body to ascertain the use of taking up the flyover bridge construction with metro route.' Pune Metro Executive Director Hemant Sonawane said, 'Pune Metro is always ready to construct flyovers for the civic body wherever it is necessary.' Sonwane added that the construction of the flyover on the same pillar as the elevated metro is beneficial to the civic body as they only have to bear the cost of the flyover. 'The Pune civic body will have problems developing road infrastructure with the metro routes so it makes sense to have an advanced plan for both,' said Sonawane. Incidentally, the flyover constructed by PMC on Sinhagad road faced opposition from citizens alluding to the metro route proposed on the road. Union minister Nitin Gadkari, while laying foundation stone for the flyover project, had urged the PMC to explore the possibility to construct a double decker flyover with the metro route but the ruling state govt went ahead with a single-flyover construction.
