The electrification plan for Pune Metro’s extended Purple Line has gained fresh traction, as Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha Metro) has re-invited bids for the overhead electrification contract of the 4.15-km elevated PCMC-Nigdi corridor. The move marks a renewed effort to accelerate connectivity along the northern extension of the metro network and bolster sustainable urban mobility across the Pune Metropolitan Region.
This stretch, approved in 2023 at an estimated cost of ₹910.18 crore, includes four elevated stations and is part of the broader effort to decongest traffic, cut emissions, and extend rapid transit access to the growing urban outskirts of Pimpri-Chinchwad. The revised tender, issued under ID P1A-TR-03/2025(R), signals tightened timelines and enhanced financial scrutiny. The earnest money deposit (EMD) for the contract has now been raised to ₹26.6 lakh, indicating a more competitive selection process. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for 28 July 2025, while the deadline for bid submissions is 11 August 2025. The selected contractor will be required to complete the project within 110 weeks from the date of the Letter of Acceptance (LOA). This updated procurement timeline underscores Maha Metro’s intent to maintain momentum on expansion while ensuring technical rigour in execution.
The scope of work encompasses the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of a 25kV flexible overhead catenary system. It also includes installation of sectioning posts, auxiliary substations, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. Experts from the industry observe that such integrated electrification systems are critical to ensuring operational safety, energy efficiency, and uninterrupted service once the stretch becomes functional. Officials associated with the Pune Metro Project clarified that the rebidding was initiated to accommodate updated technical specifications and financial safeguards, following earlier rounds of feedback from prospective bidders. With the Purple Line’s current operational span running between Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and Swargate, the northern extension to Nigdi is considered essential to meeting the long-term public transport needs of the industrial suburbs.
The strategic extension is expected to bridge a critical last-mile gap for commuters in the rapidly expanding northern corridors, while also supporting low-carbon mobility goals. With its emphasis on electric mass transit, Pune Metro aligns with national and state-level agendas aimed at promoting green infrastructure and reducing urban pollution levels. While no project of this scale is without logistical or ecological complexities, Maha Metro’s decision to move forward with a restructured bid demonstrates a commitment to transparency, fiscal prudence, and phased urban integration. Whether these efforts translate into timely delivery and enhanced commuter experience will largely depend on the execution partners’ capability and the efficiency of oversight in the coming months.
As the city continues to balance growth with sustainability, Pune Metro’s development is emerging as both a symbol and a catalyst for future-ready urban infrastructure.
Also Read : Bengaluru Metro Phase 3 Tree Loss Estimate Reduced From 11000 To Around 6800 Trees
