Civic Panel Approves Pune Light Rail Project Despite Protest

The standing committee of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) approved the light rail project even though the administration voiced its concern on the feasibility of the plan.

The train route has been planned from Shivajinagar to Hinjewadi and there will be 21 stations in-between, covering 21.60 km, of which 6.35 km will be in the city areas of Pune. A Japan-based company has provided financial support to design the plan and the company will also prepare a detailed feasibility report. The train will connect central city areas with those areas which have a high concentration of IT companies.

However, the civic administration officials have expressed reservations, saying some issues need to be addressed before implementing the plan. Questions have also been raised about the financial and technical aspects of the project. Even after the detailed feasibility report (DPR) is submitted, it is not mandatory for the civic body to accept it.

Questions have been raised regarding the financial viability and the use of different technologies for metro and light rail, in view of the metro rail project being planned for the city.

“The project has been approved. The members have suggested that efforts should be taken to carry out the project in a manner that does not affect the metro alignment,” said the officials of PMC.

The committee did not take any decision last week as the members asked for further details regarding the Pune-Hinjewadi Urban Rail. The PMC, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) will implement the project.