Safety Inspections for Pune Metro’s Civil Court-Swargate Stretch Begin

Pune: Safety inspections for the Metro’s Civil Court-Swargate underground stretch have finally started. This is the last segment of Phase-I of the Metro project that has yet to become operational. The inspection team from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) is checking the tunnels, tracks, and stations at Swargate, Mandai, and Kasba Peth.

The Civil Court-Swargate stretch is crucial for completing Phase-I. Other stretches, including Vanaz-Ramwadi and Civil Court-PCMC, are already in use. Once the CMRS approves the Civil Court-Swargate stretch, the Metro network in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad will extend to 33 kilometers.

A Maha Metro official expects the inspection and final certification process to be completed by mid-September. “Once everything is ready, the government will decide when to start services,” the official said.

Political sources suggest that the state government is likely to avoid delaying the opening of the Swargate stretch. This is due to the upcoming code of conduct for the state assembly elections. Regular commuters hope the stretch opens before the code of conduct is announced. Model Colony resident Nikhil Deshpande pointed out that Metro work has already been delayed and further postponement is unnecessary. Commuter Ketan Pandit noted that with Ganeshotsav approaching, many devotees could benefit from the Metro if it starts running to Swargate. Currently, over 100,000 people use the two existing Metro stretches in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad daily. Recently, the Union government approved an extension from Swargate to Katraj.

Demand for Extended Metro Hours During Ganeshotsav

There is also a push for the Metro to run until midnight during the 10-day Ganeshotsav festival starting next week. Commuters believe that extended hours will help reduce traffic, especially in central Pune. Currently, the last Metro trains depart from Pimpri, Civil Court, Ramwadi, and Vanaz at 10 pm.

Pimpri resident Vishal Landge said he would use the Metro to visit Ganesh mandals if it operated later. Kothrud resident Saili Barve noted that ongoing rainfall has made road travel unpleasant. “Metro could provide much-needed relief,” she said.