Pune is set to take a transformative leap in urban mobility as authorities have initiated plans to connect all four existing metro corridors directly to Pune Lohegaon Airport.
In a crucial development announced during the Airport Advisory Committee (AAC) meeting held after a three-year gap, Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation and Pune MP, Murlidhar Mohol, directed the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to fund and commission a detailed project report (DPR) for this integration. Held at the Pune International Airport, the high-level meeting drew participation from aviation regulators, civic officials, lawmakers, industry leaders, and community stakeholders. The initiative to link metro lines with the airport is expected to drastically improve multi-modal connectivity across the Pune Metropolitan Region, benefiting a population now exceeding 10 million.
Mohol stated that this integration will ensure that every major metro corridor — including the stretches from Nigdi to Swargate, Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar, Vanaz to Ramwadi, and the proposed Khadakwasla to Kharadi route — offers a direct link to the airport. The instruction mandates PMC to underwrite the DPR while Maha-Metro will take up the technical preparation of the plan. The ultimate aim, officials confirmed, is to provide seamless, last-mile connectivity for residents and air travellers alike. With Lohegaon Airport increasingly burdened by rising passenger footfalls and Pune’s urban sprawl, the move aligns with broader efforts to enhance public transport, reduce carbon emissions, and manage congestion sustainably. Mohol emphasised that a long-term vision — extending 50 to 100 years into the future — must guide infrastructural investments, particularly given Pune’s trajectory as an economic and demographic powerhouse.
Further, discussions extended to other critical airport-related upgrades, including the long-awaited runway extension to facilitate larger aircraft, redevelopment of the older terminal into an expanded check-in area, and advanced road infrastructure to separate airport-bound vehicles from routine city traffic. Wildlife risk mitigation and improved traffic circulation were also tabled as key priorities. The emphasis on metro connectivity underscores a decisive policy shift towards sustainable urban transport solutions. With Pune’s metro system expanding in phases and commuter dependence on private transport remaining high, the proposed integration could mark a turning point in regional transit efficiency. By weaving the airport into the city’s broader metro web, authorities aim not just for convenience but also for a future-ready mobility framework that supports growth while keeping environmental impact in check.
Touching upon the contentious Purandar greenfield airport project, Mohol reiterated that land acquisition by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation is underway and preparatory work is progressing. However, until the new facility becomes operational, Lohegaon remains the city’s primary aviation hub — one that needs modern infrastructure to match global benchmarks. As the DPR takes shape in the coming months, stakeholders remain hopeful that the metro-airport link will not only enhance commuter experience but also bolster Pune’s aspiration to evolve as a smart, equitable and sustainable urban centre.
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