Pune: City MP Murlidhar Mohol, in coordination with Maha Metro and Pune Municipal Corporation, has finalised plans to develop a Metro line connecting Kalyaninagar station to Lohegaon airport, ensuring a direct access for air passengers.The decision was taken after Maha Metro conducted a feasibility study examining multiple alignment options, with the Kalyaninagar-Lohegaon corridor emerging as the most viable during a joint meeting held on Tuesday. “The proposed line is expected to significantly ease travel for air passengers, as the city’s airport currently lacks direct Metro connectivity,” an official said.The absence of direct Metro link to the airport had drawn criticism, particularly after it was excluded from the Phase-II Metro expansion plan. Mohol said the new line would provide seamless connectivity for commuters from Pune, as well as Pimpri Chinchwad, to the airport.During the meeting, the Pune MP also directed Maha Metro to prepare a plan for a double-decker flyover along Karve Road. “The structure is proposed to start from Paud Phata and extend up to the Vandevi temple, ahead of Dahanukar Colony. This flyover will be integrated with the planned Metro corridor between Paud Phata (SNDT) and Warje. The earlier proposal had limited the flyover from Paud Phata to Karve Putala Chowk but has now been extended further,” the official said.Additionally, a decision was taken to extend another proposed flyover on Paud Road from Kothrud garbage depot junction to Chandni Chowk. This project is part of the Vanaz-Chandni Chowk Metro extension, for which groundwork has already commenced.Residents in the Kothrud depot area have, however, objected to the current flyover design, arguing it might not effectively benefit commuters and Metro users. In response, Mohol directed officials to revise the design after considering residents’ concerns.The meeting also addressed issues like improving last-mile connectivity to Metro stations and ensuring adequate funding for ongoing and upcoming projects. Mohol sought better coordination between Maha Metro, PMPML and PMC to enhance last-mile transport services, while assuring that there would be no shortage of funds and that necessary approvals for revised plans would be facilitated.
