Pune: Expansion Work Along Pimpri-Nigdi Metro Route Lead To Traffic Congestion In The Area

Pune Metro has significantly improved the way people travel in the city. To ensure that metro services are spread across the city, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha Metro) initiated extensions at both ends of Phase 1–northward toward Nigdi (Bhakti Shakti) and southward toward Swargate. However, the expansion work on the Pimpri to Nigdi route has led to major traffic congestion, especially along the old Mumbai-Pune highway.

Pimpri-Nigdi Metro Work In Pune Leads To Traffic Congestion

Maha Metro started work on the phase 1 extension of the Pune Metro from Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to Nigdi (Bhakti Shakti) in September. While the metro work is progressing steadily, the construction activities have caused major traffic chaos in the area.

According to Pune Mirror, a new metro corridor is under construction from Mother Teresa Flyover to Bhakti-Shakti Chowk, along the old Mumbai-Pune highway. This highway has large commercial complexes, educational institutions, hospitals, and residential areas around it. Due to the construction work, the area has witnessed increased traffic congestion.

Reportedly, the authorities had appointed 50 traffic wardens to ensure smooth traffic flow in the area. However, only eight or nine traffic wardens have been seen actively managing traffic. This has brought all the wardens stationed at the construction site under scrutiny.

Also Read: 10 New Restaurants To Try This Month In Pune For A Gastronomic Delight!

All You Need To Know About This Stretch Of Pune Metro

The Pune Metro’s Pimpri-Nigdi route is expected to take two to three years to complete. As per reports, the expansion plans include pier work and viaduct construction along this route. It will have four stations–Chinchwad, Akurdi, Nigdi, and Bhakti Shakti Chowk. The extension of this phase of the Pune Metro is being constructed at an estimated cost of ₹910.18 crore.

The Pimpri to Nigdi extension is an elevated line with a total length of 4.51 kilometres. According to the latest update, the project is progressing steadily. Work has been completed on 28 out of 151 foundation works, 13 out of 151 pier works, and 201 out of 1,337 segment castings.

Also Read: Pune Traffic Set To Ease As Ganesh Khind Flyover Partially Opens On May 1, Full Completion By August

While metro work will significantly improve travel in Pune, the constant traffic hustle is surely affecting the residents. Share your two cents about this in the comments.

Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons & Canva (representative image)