Pune Metro Phase Two Expands Chakan Industrial Access

Pune: Plans to strengthen public transport across Pune’s rapidly expanding northern corridor have advanced with the submission of a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Nigdi Chakan Metro corridor. The project, forming part of Pune Metro Phase 2, outlines a 45.3-kilometre elevated line with 34 proposed stations designed to improve connectivity between residential neighbourhoods, industrial zones and emerging urban centres.

The revised proposal estimates the project cost at Rs 12,937.23 crore and envisions an entirely elevated alignment stretching from Bhakti-Shakti Chowk in Nigdi to Chakan, one of Maharashtra’s largest manufacturing and logistics hubs. The DPR has now entered the evaluation stage, where technical, financial and administrative approvals will determine the project’s future timeline. Urban planners view the Nigdi Chakan Metro corridor as a strategic investment in sustainable mobility for the Pune Metropolitan Region. Northern Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad have experienced rapid industrial expansion alongside significant residential development, resulting in increasing commuter volumes and mounting pressure on existing road infrastructure. A high-capacity rail system is expected to reduce dependence on private vehicles while offering a more reliable transport option for workers and residents.

The proposed alignment is intended to integrate with the city’s expanding metro network, enabling smoother transfers across multiple corridors. Such multimodal connectivity could strengthen links between employment clusters, educational institutions and commercial districts while improving access to industrial estates that generate substantial daily commuter traffic. Transport experts note that infrastructure investments in manufacturing corridors increasingly influence regional economic competitiveness. Better public transport not only supports workforce mobility but also reduces travel uncertainty, lowers congestion-related costs and contributes to improved urban productivity. As industrial investment continues to shift towards northern Pune, efficient transit systems are becoming an essential component of long-term urban planning. The decision to adopt a fully elevated alignment reflects an effort to minimise land acquisition challenges and reduce disruptions to existing urban activity during construction. However, specialists caution that elevated infrastructure must also incorporate pedestrian access, first- and last-mile connectivity, and integration with buses, cycling facilities and non-motorised transport to maximise public usage.

Environmental planners also emphasise that expanding metro infrastructure aligns with broader climate resilience objectives by encouraging a shift from private vehicle dependence to mass transit. Lower transport emissions, improved air quality and reduced road congestion remain among the anticipated long-term benefits if the project is implemented alongside supportive urban policies. While submission of the DPR represents an important procedural milestone, the Nigdi Chakan Metro corridor must still undergo scrutiny by state and central authorities before construction approvals are granted. Funding arrangements, statutory clearances and implementation schedules will shape the project’s progress. If approved, the corridor could become a significant addition to Pune’s evolving mass transit network, supporting more sustainable urban growth while improving mobility across one of the region’s fastest-growing economic corridors.

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Pune Metro Phase Two Expands Chakan Industrial Access