Pune To Upgrade Metro Stretch With Durable Roads And Better Facilities
Pune is set to transform a major corridor alongside Metro Line 3 into a resilient, well-equipped cement-concrete road network, aiming to address traffic bottlenecks and improve commuter amenities. The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has initiated a multi-stage plan to upgrade a 50-kilometre stretch—25 kilometres in each direction—between Hinjewadi’s Maan depot and Shivajinagar. Officials confirmed that the road, which runs parallel to the elevated metro line, will feature enhanced public infrastructure including bus bays, lay-bys, parking lanes, and pedestrian pathways, all aimed at creating a more integrated, sustainable transport spine in one of the city’s most congested zones.
The move follows public dissatisfaction over deteriorating road conditions and waterlogging triggered by ongoing metro construction in areas like Hinjewadi. As a corrective measure, PMRDA has floated tenders to appoint expert consultants who will prepare a detailed project report (DPR), design the road infrastructure, and supervise the build. Their responsibilities include developing pavement and drainage designs, managing utility coordination, and supporting public consultation processes. According to officials, the DPR phase—set to take four months—will determine key realignments, land acquisition zones, and locations requiring transplantation of roadside trees. Authorities emphasise that the cement-concrete upgrade is more than a surface-level solution. It is positioned as a long-term strategy to embed climate-resilient road infrastructure into Pune’s fast-expanding transit ecosystem. Officials stated that electrification of supporting infrastructure, underground utility ducts, and dedicated pedestrian amenities will improve safety and last-mile connectivity.
This is expected to encourage more people to shift from private vehicles to public transport. By merging road redevelopment with the elevated metro project, the city aims to reduce travel time, enhance urban aesthetics, and boost the operational efficiency of Pune Metro Phase 3. However, concerns linger over environmental implications, especially the removal of trees and potential delays in execution. Residents and civic groups have called for transparent reporting on how many trees will be felled, retained, or transplanted. With land acquisition likely in certain stretches, community engagement will also be vital in ensuring the project doesn’t displace residents or disrupt local ecosystems. PMRDA has indicated that the process will be consultative, with legal and environmental protocols factored into the master plan. Officials added that road repairs by the current metro contractor will be undertaken immediately to ease public inconvenience, ahead of the full-scale upgrade.
In a city battling the dual challenges of traffic congestion and infrastructure fatigue, Pune’s initiative represents an effort to build smarter, more sustainable public spaces. If executed effectively and inclusively, the metro-aligned road redevelopment could become a model for Indian cities looking to synchronise surface infrastructure with mass transit. But for the project to deliver on its promise, planners must blend technical precision with ecological mindfulness and active public participation.
