Pune Metro snippets

The man behind the Delhi Metro, E Sreedharan making a presentation on the viability of the project at the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), said the civic body may also implement the project on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis or public private partnership (PPP).However, he felt the Delhi model was the most viable for Pune, one that could fetch funds from the central and state governments. Sreedharan said the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the job could be called the Pune Metro Rail Corporation (PMRC). Sreedharan made the presentation before civic officials, including Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Zagade, Mayor Rajlaxmi Bhosale, party leaders, office bearers and experts in the field like Vijay Rane. He said, “Even though the project could be implemented through BOT and PPP, the DMRC model is the most suitable for Pune. In Mumbai and Hyderabad, the metro project could not succeed. In Mumbai, it may be sustainable because of the huge number of passengers. Therefore, it is advisable for the PMC to go for the DMRC model.” He said, “In order to roll out the project, the PMC should form a separate body on the lines of the DMRC. Under this separate body, funds from central as well as the state governments could be procured. Offering higher FSI and commercial use of the project can raise funds.” Regarding the tracks to be used, on which a debate is on, Sreedharan batted for the broad gauge. Though there were some disagreements on the issue, the commissioner pacified those opposing the broad gauge saying it was not the final meeting and more brainstorming sessions would follow. The first phase of the project worth Rs 9,514 crore is to be completed by 2014-15 and the land required for the purpose is 64,435 hectares. The task of preparing the project report had been taken up by the DMRC in 2007 and the detailed project report had been submitted to the PMC during former civic commissioner Praveensinh Pardeshi’s tenure. As per the proposal, two metro corridors will come up. One will be a 16.59-km stretch between Pimpri-Chinchwad and Swargate and the othe between Vanaj in Kothrud and Ramwadi in Yerwada, a stretch of 15 km . In order to implement the project, the civic body needs to acquire 64,435 hectares. In addition to this, 4 hectares are needed for the depot. The DMRC, which prepared the project plan, recommended land belonging to Agriculture College at Shivajinagar for the depot. Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar opposed the move, making it clear it was not possible to allow the college land to be used for the project. He suggested that efforts could be made for exploring the possibility of acquiring alternative land from the Defence Ministry. Tentative Deadlines :
JUNE 30, 2009: State govt approval for Metro project.
AUGUST 30, 2009: Central govt approval.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2009:Appointment of interim consultant.
OCT 2009 TO FEB 2013:Tendering
BY MAY 2014:Testing and commissioning
MAY 2014:Revenue operation.
Proposed Metro stations:
Corridor 1 (Pimpri-Chinchwad to Swargate)
ELEVATED: PCMC, Tukaram Nagar, Bhosari, Kasarwadi, Phugewadi, Dapodi, Bopodi, Khadki, Range Hills ..
UNDERGROUND: Shivajinagar, ASI, PMC, Budhwar Peth, Mandai, Swargate.
Corridor 2 (Kothrud Depot to Ramwadi)
ALL ELEVATED:Vanaj, Anand Nagar, Ideal Colony, Nalstop, Garware College, Deccan, ASI, Civil Court, Mangalwar Peth, Pune Station, Ruby Hall Clinic, Bund garden, Yerwada, Kalyani Nagar, Ramwadi