Pune: The general body (GB) of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved proposals of Metro extensions to the city’s peripheral areas. A new route from Khadakwasla to Donaje has been approved by the corporators to benefit the visitors going to Sinhagad Fort and nearby areas. Similarly, a new Metro line from Katraj to Khed Shivapur — expected to connect the mass transit system to the proposed outer ring road — was approved. New Metro connections from Katraj to Undri, and from Wagholi to Lonikand were also given a nod.In the next step, all the proposals will go to Maha Metro for the preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs). Corporators said that Metro will play a key role in handling the mass transport in the near future. Two Metro routes are already operational in the city’s core areas, and new routes should be developed to connect the heart of the city to the newly developing areas, the corporators said while sanctioning the extension proposals. PMC’s standing committee chairman Shrinath Bhimale said the civic body will provide all necessary assistance to expedite the Metro projects in the city. “We are conducting joint meetings with Metro officials and district authorities to fast-track the Metro network,” he said.An official from Maha Metro said, “The major lines under phase-II include Khadakwasla to Hadapsar to Kharadi, and Nal Stop to Warje. Whatever new proposals the PMC and Pimpri Chinchwad Minucipal Corporation (PCMC) will hand over to us, Maha Metro will start the studies in phases.”
