Designs for two proposed double-decker flyovers at Karve Statue and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk in Warje have been finalised, clearing a key hurdle for the proposed extension of the Pune Metro from Nal Stop to Manikbaug.
The delay has affected the Metro extension despite the project receiving approvals from the Centre and state government. “Even if Maha Metro prepares the design, PMC will not accept the cost estimates without scrutiny. As was done for the Nal Stop project, the design will be verified by a third party mutually agreed upon by both agencies.
The estimate is based on 2021 construction rates, with escalation factored in up to 2026. The final cost could vary by up to 10%, depending on the rates received through the tender process.
MahaMetro officials said the estimate covers both road flyovers and the associated viaducts and is not the cost of the road structures alone. Atul Gadgil, Director (Works), MahaMetro, said the civic body had proposed the two double-decker flyovers and MahaMetro had asked the PMC to bear the additional construction cost. We will cross-check every design proposal before proceeding,” he said.
MahaMetro has been working on the designs since last year, but the process was delayed after the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) sought several changes.
So far they have instructed us to execute the work but have not confirmed the cost-sharing arrangement,” Gadgil said. “We are waiting for a formal financial commitment from the corporation regarding the expenditure.
“We have received the corporation’s letter and have responded, asking it to bear the additional cost of construction since the flyovers will ultimately belong to the corporation,” Gadgil said. He said the two proposed stretches are from Karishma Chowk to Vandevi Temple and from Ambedkar Chowk, with both planned as double-decker structures. The proposed double-decker flyover on Karve Road is likely to receive official approval within a week, said Dinkar Gojare, chief superintendent of the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) project department. The civic body will bear the cost of the project but will scrutinise the design and cost estimates to prevent cost overruns, he said.
