Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that a 200-kilometre metro network will be developed in Pune in the coming years, considering the city’s rapid growth. He said instructions have been given to Maha Metro to prepare a comprehensive project plan for the expansion.

 

Mr Fadnavis was speaking at the inauguration of the Metro Bhavan project at the District Court metro station of the Pune Metro today. He said the 11-kilometre stretch of the Shivajinagar-Hinjewadi metro corridor will be inaugurated in May this year, while the remaining 12 kilometres are expected to be completed by July.

 

He added that the Pune Metro is receiving an encouraging response from citizens, with around 2.5 lakh passengers travelling daily. During the Ganeshotsav period, the number reached nearly 5.75 lakh, indicating the growing preference for metro travel among residents.

 

The Chief Minister said the government is committed to making Pune a traffic-congestion-free city by improving transport through surface roads, elevated corridors and underground routes. He also instructed authorities to accelerate the pace of metro work in the coming years.

 

Speaking to reporters after the event, Mr Fadnavis said the country has adequate gas reserves, and there is no need for panic. He alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other leaders of his party are creating unnecessary fear among the public