New Delhi, Nov 26 (NationPress) In a significant enhancement for Pune's public transportation framework, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, granted approval on Wednesday for Line 4 (Kharadi–Hadapsar–Swargate–Khadakwasla) and Line 4A (Nal Stop–Warje–Manik Baug) with a budget of ₹9,857.85 crore under Phase 2 of the Pune Metro Rail Project.

This marks the second key initiative sanctioned under Phase-2, following the endorsement of Line 2A (Vanaz–Chandani Chowk) and Line 2B (Ramwadi–Wagholi/Vitthalwadi). With this new approval, the Pune Metro network is set to surpass the 100-km milestone, a pivotal advancement towards a modern, integrated, and eco-friendly urban transit system.

Covering a distance of 31.636 km with 28 elevated stations, Lines 4 and 4A will link IT sectors, commercial areas, educational facilities, and residential neighborhoods throughout East, South, and West Pune.

The project is slated for completion within five years at an estimated cost of ₹9,857.85 crore, funded collaboratively by the Centre, the Maharashtra government, and various external bilateral/multilateral financial institutions.

These corridors are integral to Pune’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) and will seamlessly connect with existing and planned lines at Kharadi Bypass and Nal Stop (Line 2), as well as Swargate (Line 1).

“They will also facilitate an interchange at Hadapsar Railway Station and connect with future routes towards Loni Kalbhor and Saswad Road, ensuring smooth multimodal connectivity across metro, rail, and bus systems,” stated a Cabinet communique.

The implementation of this project will be managed by the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro), responsible for all civil, electrical, mechanical, and systems work.

Preliminary construction activities, including topographical surveys and detailed design consultancy, are already in progress, as per the Cabinet.

Forecasts indicate that the daily ridership on the combined Lines 4 and 4A is expected to reach 4.09 lakh by 2028, climbing to nearly 7 lakh by 2038, 9.63 lakh by 2048, and exceeding 11.7 lakh by 2058.

Of this, the Kharadi–Khadakwasla corridor will cater to 3.23 lakh passengers in 2028, growing to 9.33 lakh by 2058, while the Nal Stop–Warje–Manik Baug spur line's ridership is projected to increase from 85,555 to 2.41 lakh over the same timeframe.

These forecasts underline the remarkable growth in ridership anticipated for Lines 4 and 4A in the coming decades.

With the introduction of Lines 4 and 4A, Pune will not only expand its metro infrastructure but also embrace a quicker, greener, and more interconnected future. These corridors are designed to reclaim hours of commute time, alleviate traffic congestion, and offer residents a secure, dependable, and economical transit alternative.