Pune: Even as Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) is set to begin groundwork on key extension routes, elected representatives have tabled several proposals to further expand these services in both Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.At least three new proposals have been tabled before the city improvement committee (CIC) of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for further consideration later this week. While doing so, corporators collectively opined that Metro services are predicted to play a vital role in providing an alternative to increasing commute times on roads, and will emerge as a leading public transport option for people in the city.Bavdhan area corporator Dilip Vedepatil has pressed for an extension of the Vanaz-Chandni Chowk route till Pirangut. While tabling the proposal, Vedepatil said, “Work for the Vanaz-Chandni Chowk leg is set to begin soon. It should not stop at Chandni Chowk as areas ahead of this key point are developing fast as well.”He added, “The extension towards Pirangut will require a detailed feasibility study owing to a small ghat section and gradients in between, but Metro routes have been built in similar terrains in other cities, including Mumbai.”Another proposal for a Metro line from Katraj to Dehu Road was tabled before the CIC, in a bid to extend services to commuters staying along Katraj-Dehu Road Bypass, covering areas like Wadgaon, Warje, Bavdhan, Sus, Baner-Balewadi, Wakad and Punawale.Metro routes are already proposed in some stretches between Katraj and Dehu Road. For instance, the Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar Metro line covers a stretch of the bypass near Balewadi. However, a Metro extension till Dehu Road has been proposed for the first time.Corporators from Yerawada-Vishrantwadi, including Nandini Dhende, Sheetal Sawant, Harshal Tingre and Suhas Tingre, have tabled a Metro extension plan from Yerawada to the Ambedkar Chowk-Vishrantwadi-Alandi Road stretch, as well as an extension towards Lohegaon airport. The corporators said the project is necessary to overcome increasing traffic problems in the areas.The proposals are expected to be discussed at the CIC this week. Once sanctioned, they will go before the general body. The CIC last month approved Metro’s extension proposal from Katraj to Khed Shivapur.
