Pune Metro has moved a step closer to extending its northern reach after Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited finalised a ₹44.05 crore contract for laying ballastless track on the elevated PCMC–Nigdi stretch. The award marks a critical infrastructure milestone for the Reach 1 extension of the North–South corridor, strengthening the structural backbone of the expanding urban rail system.
The contract covers the design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of standard gauge ballastless track infrastructure for the elevated section. Ballastless track systems, unlike traditional ballasted tracks, use reinforced concrete slabs instead of crushed stone foundations. This technology enhances durability, reduces maintenance cycles and provides improved ride stability features considered essential for high-frequency metro operations. Officials familiar with the project state that the scope includes high-strength 1080 grade head-hardened rails built to international specifications, along with track fastenings, specialised turnouts and associated civil works. Such specifications are typically deployed in modern metro networks to withstand higher operational loads while ensuring long-term structural integrity.
The North–South corridor, commonly known as the Purple Line, currently connects PCMC Bhawan to Swargate over approximately 14.6 kilometres with 14 operational stations. The extension towards Nigdi is expected to integrate additional residential and industrial clusters into the metro grid, potentially reshaping commuting patterns in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. Urban transport economists note that track infrastructure is among the most capital-intensive yet foundational components of metro systems. The adoption of ballastless technology supports lower lifecycle costs and minimises service disruptions caused by track settlement or frequent realignment an important factor for maintaining commuter confidence and operational reliability.
Beyond engineering, the project carries wider implications for sustainable urban growth. By expanding the metro footprint, Pune Metro aims to shift a greater share of daily trips from private vehicles to electric mass transit. This modal shift contributes to reduced congestion, lower transport emissions and improved air quality priorities for a rapidly urbanising region facing mounting climate pressures.
The extension is also likely to influence land-use dynamics. Improved connectivity to the Nigdi corridor could catalyse transit-oriented development, encouraging higher-density housing and commercial activity near stations. Experts emphasise, however, that such growth must remain inclusive, with provisions for affordable housing and pedestrian-friendly access to maximise social equity benefits.
As construction progresses, attention will turn to integration with feeder bus systems and non-motorised transport networks to ensure seamless first- and last-mile connectivity. The effectiveness of the extension will depend not only on track completion but also on ridership uptake and multimodal planning. With the ballastless track contract now in place, Pune Metro’s northern expansion enters a decisive execution phase. For a city positioning itself as a manufacturing and knowledge hub, strengthening mass transit capacity remains central to enabling low-carbon mobility and resilient metropolitan growth.
Pune Metro North South corridor expands
