Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited has moved a step closer to operationalising the northern stretch of the Pune Metro by issuing a Letter of Acceptance for electrical and mechanical systems on the PCMC–Nigdi extension. The contract, valued at ₹78.5 crore, covers critical station infrastructure and signals steady progress on a corridor expected to strengthen public transport access in the city’s fast-growing northern suburbs.
The award follows a competitive tendering process, with technical and financial evaluations completed earlier this month. The selected contractor will undertake design verification, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of electrical and mechanical systems, including elevators and escalators, across the elevated stations on the 4.4-km PCMC–Nigdi stretch. The execution period is set at 672 days.
Though often overshadowed by track and viaduct construction, E&M packages are central to passenger safety and comfort. They cover power supply, lighting, ventilation, fire detection systems, vertical mobility infrastructure and station utilities. For commuters, these systems define accessibility, particularly for elderly passengers, women, children and persons with disabilities. Urban mobility experts note that the performance of such systems directly influences reliability, energy efficiency and lifecycle costs.The PCMC–Nigdi link forms the northern extension of the metro’s Purple Line, which currently runs 16.59 km between Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation and Swargate with 12 operational stations. The additional 4.413 km corridor will add four elevated stations, expanding rail-based transit deeper into industrial and residential neighbourhoods in Pimpri-Chinchwad. A southern extension from Swargate to Katraj is also under implementation, further reinforcing the line’s spine-like role in the metropolitan network.
From a climate perspective, extending mass transit into peripheral zones is critical for reducing dependence on private vehicles. Pimpri-Chinchwad has witnessed sustained industrial growth and housing expansion over the past decade, resulting in rising traffic volumes and air quality pressures. Transport planners argue that timely commissioning of the PCMC–Nigdi extension can help rebalance modal share towards public transport, cutting emissions and travel times while improving road safety. Industry analysts say that as Pune expands northward, integrating reliable metro infrastructure with last-mile connectivity and transit-oriented development policies will determine long-term success. Station design, energy-efficient systems and universal access features are increasingly viewed as essential components of inclusive and resilient urban infrastructure. With civil works advancing and systems contracts now moving into implementation, attention will turn to execution timelines and coordination across packages. For a city positioning itself as a manufacturing and knowledge hub, the progress of the PCMC–Nigdi corridor signals more than network expansion it reflects the ongoing shift towards structured, lower-carbon urban mobility.
