Pune Metro’s 5.46-km Swargate-Katraj extension has moved closer to construction, with the first of four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) arriving in the city and tunnelling expected to begin in January. The entirely underground stretch will connect Swargate with Katraj through stations serving Market Yard and Padmavati.
The machine will be deployed after the launching shaft at Swargate is completed. MahaMetro is preparing to excavate the tunnel simultaneously from both ends of the corridor, with two TBMs operating from Swargate and two from Katraj. The four machines are expected to meet at Padmavati.
The TBMs will work at a depth of about 28 metres below ground level. MahaMetro has set a target of excavating around 10 metres of tunnel per day with each machine, based on the agency’s experience during construction of the first phase of Pune Metro. The pace will also have to account for the rocky geological conditions along the route.
Construction of the launching shafts required for the underground works is already underway. Excavation of the shaft at the Market Yard station has begun. These shafts will allow machinery, equipment and other construction material to be lowered underground before tunnelling operations start.
At Swargate, the TBM will be assembled and lowered into the completed launching shaft. The machine will then begin excavating the tunnel once the shaft is ready. The work sequence places the readiness of the Swargate shaft among the immediate milestones for the January construction target.
The extension is planned as an underground continuation of the Pimpri Chinchwad-Swargate Metro corridor. Once completed, it is expected to bring direct Metro connectivity to Katraj and improve access for commuters travelling between Katraj, Market Yard, Padmavati and other parts of Pune connected to the existing network.
The corridor’s construction will involve deep excavation and underground activity beneath a heavily urbanised part of southern Pune. The use of four TBMs is intended to allow work to proceed from both ends and support excavation across the full alignment. The machines are expected to meet at Padmavati as tunnelling progresses.
The project is also expected to help ease traffic congestion in southern parts of the city by providing an alternative to road-based travel. The next major step is the completion of the Swargate launching shaft, followed by the assembly and underground deployment of the first TBM for excavation in January.
