Pune Metro Line-3 to Have Double-Decker Viaduct on Ganeshkhind Rd

Last week, Maharashtra state government’s Urban Development department approved the demolition of two flyovers at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) Chowk and E-Square Carnival intersection to facilitate the construction of Pune Metro’s Line-3 which’ll connect Maan – Hinjawadi – Balewadi – Shivaji Nagar – Civil Court through 23 elevated stations.

From Baner, the 23.33 km Line-3’s alignment will follow Baner Road and Ganeshkhind Road where both of these integrated flyovers were built between 2005-2007 at a cost of Rs. 40 crore.

Per the plan, both flyovers post-demolition will make way for a 1.5 km double-decker viaduct from Aundh Road to RBI Chowk at an estimated cost of Rs. 240 crore which will be shared by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA).

Motor vehicles and the local BRT system will utilize the first level while metro trains operated by Pune IT City Metro Rail Ltd. (SPV of Tata-Siemens JV) will run on the second level. The city’s upcoming 35.96 km High Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR) road project by PMC is planned to pass right between both levels.

Per TOI, local activists, residents and NGOs have already started protesting against the flyovers’ planned demolition via letters to the Pune Municipal Commissioner and State Government.

The demolition still requires the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)’s standing committee and general body’s approval. Whenever that comes and construction begins – the University area will become the second spot in the city, after Nal Stop on the Vanaz – Civil Court section of Line-2, to host a double-decker metro viaduct.

Similar structures exist in varying lengths in Jaipur, Kochi, Chennai, & Nagpur, are under construction in Bangalore & Mumbai, and will soon be under construction in Delhi.

For more updates, check out the Pune section of The Metro Rail Guy!

– TMRG