Pune Metro | Proposed [Archive]

India101

December 29th, 2008, 12:36 AM

From Live Mint.com (http://www.livemint.com/2008/10/30125639/Pune-to-become-7th-metro-city.html)

New Delhi: Pune will soon acquire the status of being a metropolitan city in India. According to an Assocham report on ‘The 7th emerging metro city in India’ it owes its upgradation to a fast development pace in the area of infrastructural facilities, friendly business environment, education avenues and employment opportunities.
Contributing factors include the high real estate prices and a large population base as compared to other upcoming cities. The study was carried out in four tier II cities including Pune, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Chandigarh ranking them on eight parameters necessary for a metro city. They included social infrastructure, infrastructure availability, real estate cost and availability, transportation facility (connectivity), presence of quality educational institutes, employment opportunity, facility of financial services and business environment.
Pune occupied first position overall though it needs to improve on transportation, social infrastructure and financial services. Ahmedabad was the second most potential city providing good infrastructure and facilities and connectivity. Lucknow was placed with third rank as it needs to pick up on infrastructure, business environment and social infrastructure.
Chandigarh, the smallest city among the four in terms of area size and population was ranked at the fourth position though it was ranked foremost in financial services and business environment.
Among the four cities, Ahmedabad occupied first rank on the parameter of social infrastructure. The city with literacy rate of 79.89% has high-grade institutes like IIM, NID, NIFT, EDII etc. The city of Nawabs, Lucknow with a literacy rate of 83.5% and presence of quality educational institutes including IIM, SGPGIMS etc was placed at second position. Both Pune and Chandigarh were assigned 3rd positions respectively on the social infrastructure parameter.
Pune has a literacy rate of 80.73% and skilled population, the city is a place of high grade institutes including NIBM, NIC etc. However, 81.9 per cent is the literacy rate in Chandigarh with prominent institutes being Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Centre for Defence and National Strategic Studies (CDNSS) etc.
The infrastructure parameter rank cities on the basis of sub parameters including number of entertainment avenues, malls and multiplexes along with the presence of star category hotels.
The Queen of Deccan, Pune with maximum number of malls and multiplexes (26) and star category hotels (25) notched the top position. The second rank was occupied by Ahmedabad, with the city having 25 malls & multiplexes and 17 star category hotels. Chandigarh and Lucknow was placed at 3rd and 4th position respectively. The favourable location and smoothen process of acquiring land along with the high property prices are few sub parameters of real estate cost and availability that attracts corporate sector to expand their business.
Pune has outpaced the other three cities on the parameter of real estate prices and availability. After Pune, Chandigarh is considered to be the next emerging real estate market. Ahmedabad occupied 3rd rank while Lucknow at the bottom position was considered as most time consuming city in terms of process for acquiring land.
On the employment parameter, among the four upcoming tier II cities, Pune carved the maximum share of 32.74% in the total jobs tracked for the period January-June 2008. The prominent sectors attracting large number of aspirants include IT, manufacturing, engineering and academics among others.
The four cities are ranked on the parameter of financial services, taking into account the sub parameters including number of offices of scheduled commercial banks (as on march 2007), density of offices of scheduled commercial banks per population, number of accounts of the scheduled commercial banks per population, presence of brokerage firms, presence of stock exchange, transparency in trading system. In terms of providing financial services facility to the natives of the city in respect of above parameters, Lucknow occupied first position. The second rank was grabbed by Chandigarh. However, both Pune and Ahmedabad occupied third rank.

India101

December 29th, 2008, 12:40 AM

First phase
The three routes that have been identified for the first phase are:

1.Pimpri - Chinchwad - Swargate, via Agriculture college (16.5 km, elevated)
2.Aundh - Kalyaninagar, via Shivajinagar and the Pune railway station (14 km, elevated)
3.Agriculture College - Swargate, via JM road and Mahatre bridge (9 km, underground)

Second phase
Second phase of the project will contain the extension of first phase:

1.Extension of lines from Chinchwad to Nigdi and Swargate to Katraj (11.5 km elevated)
2.Extension of lines from Aundh to Hinjewadi and Kalyaninagar to Kharadi Naka (13 km elevated)
3.Extension of line from Swargate to Hadapsar (9 km elevated)

Third phase
Third phase will complete the project at once and it will contain only one line:

1.Agriculture college - Warje via JM road and Karve road (9 km elevated)

India101

December 29th, 2008, 12:44 AM

From Express India.com (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/pune-metro-project-report-next-month/345645/)

Pune: The ambitious metro rail project for the city is all set to begin its zero day soon with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) planning to set up a separate company by September.
The next month will also see the detailed project report (DPR) being submitted by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (DMRC) for the Pune metro project.

“The DMRC is working on the DPR for the metro rail in the city and is likely to submit it by next month,” said municipal Commissioner Praveensinh Pardeshi after the meeting of DMRC officials and the PMC standing committee.

The entire standing committee team had been to Delhi on a day’s visit and took trip across the city in the metro before coming back to the city to hold discussions with DMRC officials on the execution of the project.

Pardeshi the DMRC suggested the various possible models for execution of the mega project.

“Since the first phase of around 50 km is likely to cost Rs 5,000 crore and the civic body incapable of providing that amount of funds, the DMRC suggested a public private partnership model for the Pune Metro,” he said.

Thus, the project specific SPV for the metro, under the already proposed SPV for providing the infrastructure for the city would be set up for managing the metro rail, Pardeshi said.

The idea of allowing the proposed company to generate revenue through commercial ventures at the proposed railway stations is on the cards so as to recover the huge investment to be made for the project.

fun2sh

January 20th, 2009, 01:49 AM

Any further update on this? Some kind of Map or something?

Ashis Mitra

January 25th, 2009, 10:01 PM

I heard Pune was planning to build a tram network with the help of France. Is it true? If yes, is Pune going to build both tram & metro, or the tram project is now changed to metro?

Curry4Ever

January 28th, 2009, 09:36 AM

I heard Pune was planning to build a tram network with the help of France. Is it true? If yes, is Pune going to build both tram & metro, or the tram project is now changed to metro?

Where did you hear this? Please provide reference

cncity

January 29th, 2009, 02:27 AM

I heard Pune was planning to build a tram network with the help of France. Is it true? If yes, is Pune going to build both tram & metro, or the tram project is now changed to metro?

The tram project is separate than the Metro. It was supposed to start from Nigdi/Pimpri towards the main city. A german team had come to Pune in 2005 to do a study and not the french. However the project looks cancelled in support of the metro. The metro was chosen after looking at the Skybus and tram options. I think the monorail is still on cards.

Pune tram project rolls ahead

PM News Bureau

German consultant company, Consult Team Bremen (part of Bremer Strassenbahn AG) has agreed to prepare a DPR for the much-awaited tram project for the Pune Metropolitan Area. A team of German technical experts is expected to arrive in Pune this month. The managing director of CTB has already sent a letter to both the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation top officials.
PMC commissioner Nitin Kareer has submitted a proposal to the standing committee. As soon as DPR is ready in three months, work will immediately begin.
DPR will focus on the strengthening of roads and bridges and widening of roads wherever necessary to enable running of trams. The foundation stone for the first tram line between Nigdi and Hadapsar is likely to be laid in February 2006
http://www.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=10084

Ashis Mitra

February 20th, 2009, 07:52 PM

Wikipedia's 'Pune Metro' page says Pune metro is under construction. Is it true?

phaedrus

February 21st, 2009, 03:43 AM

cant see where it says that on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pune_Metro)

cncity

February 21st, 2009, 04:34 AM

cant see where it says that on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pune_Metro)

It said Under construction till few hours ago. Someone must have changed it in the last few hours.

I doubt the construction has started. They are waiting on a couple of things like the creation of the PMRDA (on the lines of MMRDA which undertakes infrasturcture projects for Mumbai). I think this is almost getting ready.

Also some of the land possession is not complete. The first phase goes through agriculture college,(same college that was shown as medical college in Munna Bhai MBBS) and the college had refused to give their land for Metro. The state had given a GO for the creation of Maharashtra's first Agriculture convention centre on this land and hence the metro route might change. Im not sure whats the status on this yet.

Ashis Mitra

February 27th, 2009, 09:05 PM

Yes, Pune metro is still planned. Construction is expected to start in 2009.

cncity

March 7th, 2009, 03:04 PM

PUNE: Unlike in Delhi where the implementation of the metro
rail project is well on schedule, and in Mumbai where the foundation stone for
mono-rail has been laid, in Pune the ambitious metro rail project has hit a road block. The civic administration is struggling to find a suitable piece of land for rail terminus at Shivajinagar.

While the date set for starting construction work on elevated metro lines is July 1, it is unlikely the project will kick off on time because of general elections in April. Secondly, the municipal corporation's proposal for granting additional FSI along the BRTS and metro corridors to raise funds for the project is yet to get a green signal from both the city improvement committee and the state government.

The civic administration had planned to make nearly 30.50 km of metro routes and 120 km of BRT routes in the city. The PMC plans to commission the metro project by March 31, 2013.

Incidentally, it has been over six months since the metro rail project was discussed at length at a high-level meeting held in Mumbai. The meeting which was attended by the then chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, the government had, in principle, agreed to allow the use of additional FSI to raise funds for the first phase of the metro route and speedy implementation of the project. The civic body has estimated that funds to the tune of Rs 2,600 crore could be raised through additional FSI while more funds could be raised through private players.

As per the schedule, the process of formation of the special purpose vehicle (SPV) for implementing various infrastructure projects was to be completed by January 15.

Though the PMC's general body had cleared the SPV proposal and sent it to the state government for approval, the plan for granting additional FSI along the metro corridor and BRT routes is yet to get city improvement committee's (CIC) nod. An SPV is a public-private partnership venture by which the PMC implements high-cost projects.

Questioned about the status of the metro project, municipal commissioner Pravinsinh Pardeshi said that while the detailed project report has been finalised, the civic body is struggling to find a suitable piece of land for the metro rail station. The Delhi metro rail corporation is the project consultant.

While the PMC was hoping to get around 60 acres of land from the agriculture college at Shivajinagar for the terminus, the project suffered a setback when the college refused to part with any land.

Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar had also said that the college will not be in a position to give land for the project. At a recent function held to mark the centenary year of the college, district guardian minister Ajit Pawar also confirmed that no portion of the college land will be given for any purpose other than agriculture or research projects.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Metro-rail-project-still-on-paper/articleshow/4236874.cms

Ashis Mitra

March 15th, 2009, 10:15 PM

I have some questions –
1) Will future lines use overhead wire like Delhi? Or third rail like Kolkata?

2) Will there any metro stations with both side platforms?

EMP

April 8th, 2009, 07:50 PM

DMRC moots Rs 9,500cr metro rail for Pune

File photo of the Metro rail in New DelhiThe government of Maharashtra is planning to set up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to raise funds for the upcoming metrol railway project worth Rs 9,534 crore in Pune city. According to a detailed project report (DPR) prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the city needs two metro rail routes of 31.5 kilometre length, which would be operational by year 2014.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had roped in DMRC to prepare a report and also suggest the options available to raise funds. Accordingly, the DMRC has suggested PMC and the government of Maharashtra to follow public-private partnership model for this project and reduce costs by offerring higher floor space index (FSI) to the concerned developer.

"The costs for the initial project is definitely very heavy and an SPV is needed to raise funds. Our department has already consulted this aspect with the PMC administration. We expect the PMC to prepare a final proposal and forward it to the government for a finall call," a top official from urban development department of government of Maharashtra told Business Standard.

The DPR suggests a first route of 16.58 kilometre length that beings from neighbouring Chinchwad town and runs along Pimpri, Shivajinagar upto Swargate at a price of Rs 4,930 crore.
The second route has a proposed length of 14.92 kilometre and spans over Paud road, Deccan Gymkahana, Shivajinagar, Bundgarden, Yerawada up to Kalyani Nagar at a price of Rs 2,217 crore.

Apart from a short underground patch, the corridors would be formed on elevated surface, the DPR says. Other aspects such as development of metrol rail hub and taxes would add up to Rs 9,534 crore.

The project is expected to require 110 acres of land out of which, approximately 31 acres is in private custody. "We are expecting speedy approvals to this project to ensure, the uear 2014 deadline is met. Otherwise, there would be extensive cost-escalation leading to more pressures," said a PMC official.

Source:- http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/dmrc-moots-rs-9500cr-metro-rail-for-pune/58261/on

EMP

April 8th, 2009, 11:24 PM

Maha govt plans SPV for Pune metro

The Maharashtra government is planning to set up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to raise funds for the upcoming metro railway project worth Rs 9,534 crore in Pune city. According to a detailed project report (DPR) prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the city needs two metro rail routes of 31.5 km length, which would be operational by year 2014.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had roped in DMRC to prepare a report and also suggest the options available to raise funds. Accordingly, DMRC has suggested PMC and the state government to follow public-private partnership model for this project and reduce costs by offering higher floor space index (FSI) to the concerned developer.

“The costs for the initial project is definitely very heavy and an SPV is needed to raise funds. Our department has already consulted this aspect with the PMC administration. We expect the PMC to prepare a final proposal and forward it to the government for a final call,” a top official from urban development department of government of Maharashtra told Business Standard.

The DPR suggests a first route of 16.58 km length that beings from neighbouring Chinchwad town and runs along Pimpri, Shivajinagar up to Swargate at a price of Rs 4,930 crore. The second route has a proposed length of 14.92 km and spans over Paud road, Deccan Gymkhana, Shivajinagar, Bundgarden, Yerawada up to Kalyani Nagar at a price of Rs 2,217 crore. Apart from a short underground patch, the corridors would be formed on elevated surface, the DPR says. Other aspects such as development of metro rail hub and taxes would add up to Rs 9,534 crore.

The project is expected to require 110 acres of land out of which, approximately 31 acres is in private custody. “We are expecting speedy approvals to this project to ensure, the 2014 deadline is met.

Source:- http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/maha-govt-plans-spv-for-pune-metro/354537/

cncity

May 14th, 2009, 09:56 PM

PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation's move, envisaging 4 FSI for 500m area on either sides of the 31.5 km proposed Pune metro rail as well as the
120 km bus rapid transit system (BRTS) corridors, needs to be opposed "tooth and nail" by citizens, said civic activists, town planners and other experts here on Sunday.

According to the experts, the FSI move has no plausible justification and citizens ought to see through the most likely scenario, in the long run, about the metro project remaining on paper while the vested interests get benefited out of the additional FSI created in the name of the ambitious project.

The activists and the experts were speaking at a debate titled "4 FSI for metro, BRTS: Just or unjust," which was organised by city-based organisation Sajag Nagarik Manch (SNM).

Early last month, the Delhi metro rail corporation (DMRC) submitted a detailed project report (DPR) to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) regarding the metro rail service for the Pune metropolitan area, which comprises Pune as well as the neighbouring twin industrial township of Pimpri-Chinchwad.

The PMC commissioner has moved a proposal regarding the 4 FSI for metro as well as BRTS corridors, which will be discussed soon by the city improvement committee, the standing committee and the civic general body.

On a broader scale, the rationale behind 4 FSI on either sides of metro and BRTS corridors is that greater population densification through vertical development of residential and commercial properties, will make the two mass transport projects economically viable and will help generate the all-important funds. The DMRC report has pegged the cost of the metro project at close to Rs 9,500 crore, in case the project is completed by 2014.

According to Ranjit Gadgil, the 4 FSI move was highly detrimental to the city's progress and was also not legally tenable. "Developed cities like Hong Kong and New York, where the metro rails run fairly successfully, have population density of 6,000 per sq.km and 10,000 per sq.km respectively. Against this, Pune already has a population density of 14,000 per sq.km even much higher at 21,000 per sq.km in 80 of the 144 civic wards. So, where is the need for greater densification?" He asked. "If the existing population density is not sufficient to make the metro project viable than the question remains, why the need for such project at the first place."

Gadgil added, "Projects like metro and BRTS require wider public debates and involvement in the decision-making and planning process."

The letter also says: "The report says that sale of 4 FSI along just half the length of the metro corridor will yield Rs 18,900 crore. But cost of the metro is only Rs 7,100 crore. So why 4 FSI? Moreover, the density of the congested areas in the city is too much and the administration is unable to provide water, solid waste management, sewage treatment, etc. There is no plan to address these issues."

Uday Kulkarni said the FSI and the metro projects were two different issues and cannot be linked. "The civic administration is going on an overdrive by linking these issues and is misleading citizens about the project," he said.

According to Anita Benninger, the additional FSI will created 7,750 hectare space and wondered who will need such large space in the future? She said the metro can be justified in densely populated areas but the FSI move needed to be strongly opposed and it lacked apt vision.

Ujjwal Keskar pointed out that the PMC has yet to even approve the comprehensive mobility plan (CMP), which is the first step for implementing mass transport projects like metro, BRTS among others. "We are yet to see the DPRs of both metro and BRTS," he said. While additional FSI on either sides of these projects can be justified, he said, the extent of such provision was a debatable issue.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Activists-question-4-FSI-for-metro/articleshow/4479798.cms

niknak

May 15th, 2009, 02:09 AM

They should read about Transit Oriented Development!

In LA, they're raising the FSI of all the areas where there is a metro station! Same is done is many many places around the world!

cncity

June 10th, 2009, 05:18 PM

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has proposed the "company formation" method for the upcoming Rs 17,935 crore metro rail project in Pune, ruling out the possibility of the public private partnership (PPP) or the build-operate-transfer (BOT) models for implementation.

The metro rail project in Delhi has been executed by a company DMRC, which raised funds from the government and loans. The metro rail projects in Mumbai and Hyderabad have been initiated on the PPP model. While the Mumbai project has so far proved to be successful, the project in Hyderabad is still in its infant stage.

DMRC chief E Sreedharan, in a meeting with the elected members of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), said, "The company formation method will help the project move faster against BOT or PPP models."

A report submitted by the DMRC says, the government should form a special purpose vehicle (SPV) named Pune Metro Rail Corporation (PMRC) under the Company Act, 1956. The formed SPV should have representatives of the state and central governments as its directors.

The report suggests, the state and the central governments would have 40 per cent equity stake in this company while the remaining funds could be raised from property development, loans and borrowings from market.

The report states, the PMRC can seek relaxation in value added tax, electricity and other taxes from the state government.

The report also suggests a first route of 16.58 kilometre length that beings from neighbouring Chinchwad town and runs along Pimpri, Shivajinagar up to Swargate. The second route has a proposed length of 14.92 kilometre and spans over Paud road, Deccan Gymkahana, Shivajinagar, Bundgarden, Yerawada up to Kalyani Nagar.

Apart from a short underground patch, the corridors would be formed on an elevated surface, the report suggests. The deadline to complete the first route is prescribed as year 2014.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/rs-17935-cr-pune-metro-railsimilar-lines-to-dmrc-report/64262/on

kronik

June 11th, 2009, 09:43 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Activists-question-4-FSI-for-metro/articleshow/4479798.cms

If HK or NYC had the same infrastructure pattern as our crappy cities, they would be just as bad in terms of density/public convenience.

Because of lack of highrises, housing is spread out, and there is not enough space for roads and public parks, not just in Pune but in most cities. Now it is not spread out in the HK/NYC sort of way, but spread out in a much smaller area, with very bad connectivity. But the cities mentioned by him have multiple highrises that are spread across the city region, and good transportation infrastructure ensures that they are all within easy reach.

Its just like saying - there are two houses - now you take one house down, and build an apartment block on top of the other, and use the remaining space for a park. Which one would be better from an overpopulated city's perspective?

Ashis Mitra

September 7th, 2009, 01:20 PM

Not only Pune, but Aurangabad, Nagpur, Nashik, Solapur & Thane must also get metro systems. All those cities are million plus.

sidney_jec

September 7th, 2009, 01:35 PM

^^i don't think spending so much on a project like metro is a wise idea for cities like these..
the distances are not that great..
plus there are mainly 3-4 major roads which might be having much traffick..
an efficient bus service (which I think Maharashtra already has) would be enough unless the cities are expanding horizontally and that too at a rapid pace..

achemsRaZor

November 11th, 2009, 11:01 AM

Yes, Pune metro is still planned. Construction is expected to start in 2009.

So has construction begun?

punekar

November 12th, 2009, 12:12 PM

So has construction begun?

There is absolutely nothing happening on the Pune metro. I think things are still stuck since the Agri college does not want to give land for the metro depot. So far, I have not even seen a Google mashup of the proposed routes.

As of now, the project is gas, gas, gas.

IchimaruGin1

November 12th, 2009, 12:49 PM

Not only Pune, but Aurangabad, Nagpur, Nashik, Solapur & Thane must also get metro systems. All those cities are million plus.

thane needs light rail

as does Nashik and Aurangabad

Pune and nagpur yes metro is needed.

achemsRaZor

November 14th, 2009, 06:42 AM

There is absolutely nothing happening on the Pune metro. I think things are still stuck since the Agri college does not want to give land for the metro depot. So far, I have not even seen a Google mashup of the proposed routes.

As of now, the project is gas, gas, gas.

Thats too bad. How about the Bus system? Any improvements there? I remember seeing these 8 seater 3 wheelers plying all around the Aundh area - quasi buses with request stops. Looked like crows :lol:. Are those still around. In retrospect, I think the time of the 3 wheeler whould be marked. They have outlived their purpose. Although, they do provide a livelihood to the drivers and that needs to be respected. But even those drivers are rude, unbusinesslike and completely ignore metered charges :ohno:

punekar

November 16th, 2009, 10:39 AM

Thats too bad. How about the Bus system? Any improvements there? I remember seeing these 8 seater 3 wheelers plying all around the Aundh area - quasi buses with request stops. Looked like crows :lol:. Are those still around. In retrospect, I think the time of the 3 wheeler whould be marked. They have outlived their purpose. Although, they do provide a livelihood to the drivers and that needs to be respected. But even those drivers are rude, unbusinesslike and completely ignore metered charges :ohno:

Bus system has some new buses now. But most of them are old and frequently break down. Thanks to the CYG games, there are few CNG buses now running around. So probably the polluters have reduced.

Autoricks (3-wheelers) drivers remain the same. There are talks of having them wear a uniform and charge by the digital meter. Probably not gonna happen.

8-seaters (polluting machines) continue to run around. They are banned within certain areas. You can see them on Nagar road overloaded to 12 people or more. Pathetic.

Things are not good in terms of public transport in the city. They have improved somewhat after the merger of PMT and PCMT orgs under one org. But still a lot of funds need to spent under the JNNURM umbrella for things to improve.

achemsRaZor

November 17th, 2009, 09:08 AM

Things are not good in terms of public transport in the city. They have improved somewhat after the merger of PMT and PCMT orgs under one org. But still a lot of funds need to spent under the JNNURM umbrella for things to improve.

Thanks much for the update Punekar. Whats stopping funds from being spent? Is it misutlisation or just the lack of funds from JNNURM? Pune is an important and big city and it would be a shame not to have the funds spent on development now.

punekar

November 17th, 2009, 01:39 PM

Thanks much for the update Punekar. Whats stopping funds from being spent? Is it misutlisation or just the lack of funds from JNNURM? Pune is an important and big city and it would be a shame not to have the funds spent on development now.
The funds are there - allocated for various projects. Its the actual spending that is not happening. Probably, JNNURM funds come with a lot of strings attached. In any case, the Metro cost has been pegged at almost 10,000 cr. That is huge and I cannot understand why its so high considering its only 30 Km. Some have estimated it to be close to 20,000 cr. Thats not going to take-off for a city like Pune. So all I see is more BRT in the future till the population crosses the 10 million mark. Then some action might start.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 6th, 2010, 02:52 AM

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/2520/metrocrisscross.jpg

Bombay2Calcutta

January 6th, 2010, 04:13 AM

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Citizens-panel-complains-of-irregularity-in-metro-project/articleshow/5414907.cms)
PUNE: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's (DMRC) refusal to be a part of the proposed technical committee to suggest appropriate system (standard
gauge or broad gauge) and technological changes suitable to Pune city has kicked off a new controversy.

The citizens' forum has alleged a "technology scam" in Pune metro project, accusing the men at the helm of favouring "commercial interests" of overseas manufactures and consultants. Pointing out the anomalies, the citizens forum has sought Union government's intervention in the matter.

The TOI had on Saturday reported that the DMRC has refused to take part in the debate over standard gauge or broad gauge. The Pune Metro Sahakarya Samiti (PMSS), the citizens forum comprising transport experts, in a letter written to Union Minister of Finance Pranab Mukherjee, has asked the minister to look into the "technology scam" in the Pune metro project.

"I would request you to spare time and look into the technology scam," says V K J Rane, a member of the forum, in a letter dated December 30, 2009.

Rane said that for a project approximately costing Rs 10,000 crore for a 30 km metro rail in Pune city, an expenditure of Rs 2,500 crore is being incurred in foreign exchange for procuring imported coaches, over and above that required for indigenous coaches.

"This money is given to the private investor for utilisation, for procurement of rolling stock and track, in the form of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) subsidy. This has further resulted in increased fare structure to the commuters. The DMRC has further stated that after 25 years, another road will have to be identified for an elevated metro corridor, for meeting the future capacity demand on these routes. The bureaucracy have accepted such illogical statements," said Rane.

"We prefer underground metro to avoid pitfalls of land acquisition and negotiating congested areas. We would like a proper study to be done to decide whether BRTS should remain or metro. Nothing should be ad-hoc. The need for a mass transit system should be established by projecting the passengers per hour per direction, which is 20,000 or more for a metro," says Maj Gen S C N Jatar, (Retd), a founder member of Nagarik Chetana Manch, an NGO, which is facilitating the PMC in Pune metro rail project.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 6th, 2010, 06:12 AM

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Groundwork-to-begin-this-year-Civic-panel-chief/articleshow/5404002.cms)
PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will start ‘groundwork’ on the ambitious metro project this year.

PMC standing committee chairman Nilesh Nikam said, “ things will move this year. Already the project implementation is late. We will make substantial provision for the metro and ensure that actual work begins as soon as possible”.

“ City’s traffic is top priority and we will ensure that the comprehensive mobility plan is implemented. The complete implementation of the plan will help to mitigate the traffic woes ” says municipal commissioner Mahesh Zagade.

However BJP leader Vikas Mathakri is suspicious about the administration and ruling party’s will to implement the metro project. “ There is no will on the part of civic administration and ruling politicians. The cost of project will go on multiplying by each day. Traffic is a major problem city is facing and this problem will acquire gigantic form in coming years. Metro is the only answer to mitigate traffic problem. Unfortunately there is no serious attempt to follow this project” said Mathkari.

The DMRC has recommended that its model for a metro rail be incorporated in Pune as it had the edge over the public-private partnership (PPP) and build-operate-transfer (BOT) models. In the model, the state and central government contribute 40 per cent of the funds, various taxes bring in 12 per cent of the funds, commercial property development contribute another 6 per cent and loans and money borrowing from the market bring in 33 per cent of funds. The rest will come from security deposits for land cost by state govt.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 6th, 2010, 06:14 AM

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/DMRC-refuses-to-be-part-of-metro-panel/articleshow/5404003.cms)
PUNE: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has refused to be a part of a proposed technical committee for the city’s metro project.

The corporation cited the fact that it had prepared the detailed project report (DPR) for the initiative as the reason for this. The committee will look into the technical issues pertaining to the project and suggest an appropriate system (standard or broad gauge) for the city.

The DMRC has also asked the PMC and PCMC to “modify” the bus rapid transit system (BRTS) so that the BRTS is “complementary” and not a “competition” to the metro.

After a meeting of PMC officials and traffic experts to discuss the DPR, clarifications were sought from the DMRC on various issues.

The PMC and the traffic experts’ committee had suggested the formation of a three-member technical group. The traffic experts’ committee and the DMRC would name one member each and the PMC would appoint the chairperson.

The committee also sought a clarification on the overlapping of the proposed metro lines and the BRTS corridor.

However, SD Sharma, GM /consultant, DMRC, in his reply stated: “The DMRC would not like to have its member on the committee as the DPR has been prepared by us.”

The debate on the appropriate metro system for Pune has been raging for a long time with various experts and politicians expressing diverse views.

On the issue of the overlapping of the two routes, the DMRC said: “The metro corridors have been planned on roads where there is no BRTS track at present. Therefore, the BRTS routes already planned by the PMC and the PCMC may need slight modifications so that the BRTS routes work as complementary to the metro and not in competition.”

The DMRC has also said that providing an elevated track in congested areas like Budhwar Peth and Mandai will cause even more hardship to the public than convenience and will lead to large-scale acquisition of properties.

Besides, the DMRC refused to comment on the suggestion that an independent corporation — on the lines of the DMRC —be formed to implement the Pune metro project as suggested by it. It also remained silent on the proposal that an experienced institution be given the classic role of project management consultant.

The PMC and the traffic experts had suggested that the DMRC needs to study the feasibility of using the existing track between the PCMC areas and Shivajinagar for suburban commuter services instead of the contemplated metro corridors. This,could be achieved either by increasing the frequency of services or laying an additional line. This would be far cheaper than the metro system.

However, the DMRC contended: “Existing railway lines are already saturated and hence running additional trains on them may not be possible. Adding a railway track alongside the existing line is not recommended as it will not benefit the public at large due to its poor accessibility. For this reason, a metro line is recommended between the PCMC areas and Shivajinagar and further to Swargate.”

Gen SCN Jatar (Retd), who was a member of the PMC and traffic experts’ committee that made the suggestions to the DMRC, said: “There are certain inherent problems in the implementation of the metro project. The metro project has not been co-ordinated with other mass transit systems such as the BRTS. The DMRC does not know the geography of Pune and hence we are not satisfied with their reply,” Jatar said.

cncity

January 20th, 2010, 05:27 PM

PUNE: The Pune Metro Railway project took a big step towards becoming a reality on Tuesday, when the standing committee of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) unanimously accepted the detailed project report (DPR) on it prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and forwarded it to the central government, sounding extremely optimistic that it would be included and cleared in the union budget to be tabled next month.

While the standing committee has accepted the entire DPR for the 75.5 km metro route, it has currently sought funds only for the first phase comprising 31.52 km, which is estimated to cost about Rs 6,000 crore, standing committee chairman Nilesh Nikam told reporters soon after the standing committee meeting. The cost is based on estimates prepared in June 2009.

The PMC, through the DPR, has proposed that the central and state governments bear 40 per cent of the metro project, 11 per cent from state government for land acquisition and rehabilitation, another 12 per cent from the state government in tax rebates, 1.2 per cent through GICA loan, 1.2 per cent through market borrowing, 7 per cent through property development and the rest through BOT or PPP.

The PMC itself will bear just about 5 per cent or Rs 300 crore in the first phase.

Phase I comprises two corridors, that of Pimpri-Chinchwad to Swargate via Agriculture College, Shivajinagar, Pune Municipal Corporation (16.59 km) and Vanaz to Ramwadi via Nal Stop, civil court and Pune Station (14.93 km).

The standing committee has kept its options on whether to go for a Build Operate Transfer (BOT) or Public Private Participation (PPP) wide open.

However, what raises most concern is the heavy additional taxes that the metro will put on Puneites.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, has interestingly said that considering the passenger load in Pune, the Metro service is unlikely to sustain through its own resources and proposed that the shortfall be collected through levying 50 per cent cess on all new vehicles, two per cent cess on all offices which employ more than 100 people, a 10 per cent surcharge on all star hotels.

It also proposes to allot four per cent FSI to all properties along the metro route, where commercial concerns can be built, generating income for the Pune Metro Rail Corporation (PMRC), the special purpose independent company that will be set up to handle the service.

FUNDS: While the standing committee has accepted the entire DPR for 75.5 km route, it has currently sought funds for the first phase of 31.52 km, which is about Rs 6,000 crore,

OPTIONS: The standing committee has kept its options on whether to go for a BOT or PPP wide open

FUNDS: While the standing committee has accepted the entire DPR for 75.5 km route, it has currently sought funds for the first phase of 31.52 km, which is about Rs 6,000 crore, OPTIONS: The standing committee has kept its options on whether to go for a BOT or PPP wide open

PHASE I COMPRISES TWO CORRIDORS:

- Pimpri-Chinchwad to Swargate via Agriculture College, Shivajinagar, Pune Municipal Corporation (16.59 km) - Vanaz to Ramwadi via Nal Stop, civil court and Pune Station (14.93 km).

http://www.sakaaltimes.com/SakaalTimesBeta/20100120/5173646477018737644.htm

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/2333/4925876812893671828mid.jpg (http://img522.imageshack.us/i/4925876812893671828mid.jpg/)

Abhishek901

January 23rd, 2010, 12:54 PM

^^ Why the city is shown in 2 distinct colours ? Are they 2 different districts ?

Euromast

January 23rd, 2010, 01:15 PM

Dark colour is where most industries are located. or may be these are sub urban areas not in Pune city

GJ10

January 23rd, 2010, 01:26 PM

Technically, darker area is classed as Pimpri-Chinchwad, lighter one is Pune.

Diff Municipal Corporations govern them. Both Within Pune District though.

Abhishek901

January 23rd, 2010, 05:56 PM

Technically, darker area is classed as Pimpri-Chinchwad, lighter one is Pune.

Diff Municipal Corporations govern them. Both Within Pune District though.

Bole to these are 2 tehsils of Pune district (like Gurgaon and Manesar are one of the 4 tehsils of Gurgaon district) ?

BTW I like the name of this place - "Bhosari" in Pune. When I went to Pune and read this name on a bus stop I couldn't stop laughing :lol:

Indtrans

January 25th, 2010, 01:45 PM

I am affraid that Standard vs Broad gauge issue may cause delay for this Pune metro project.

Euromast

January 25th, 2010, 08:06 PM

Bole to these are 2 tehsils of Pune district (like Gurgaon and Manesar are one of the 4 tehsils of Gurgaon district) ?

BTW I like the name of this place - "Bhosari" in Pune. When I went to Pune and read this name on a bus stop I couldn't stop laughing :lol:

Did u go tot Budhwar peth:nuts:

Abhishek901

January 25th, 2010, 08:21 PM

Did u go tot Budhwar peth:nuts:

Yeah :lol: but accidently. I was looking for a restaurant for dinner at 8:30 pm in that area and I was not aware of this fact that it was red light area. And worst was when I unknowingly asked a pimp for a restaurant and a call girl near her started hissing ssshhii sshhii.. to gain my attention :lol:. But I decided to be a tough Punjabi and had dinner at that place only :cheers:.

Euromast

January 25th, 2010, 08:24 PM

Well good for u:-)

Indtrans

January 27th, 2010, 03:03 PM

Guys,
We can add discussion about road, rail transport of Pune in this thread.(Please refer to Kolkata thread. In that they have included Rail, Road, NS metro and EW metro all).
As Pune metro project is on paper, there is nothing much to write on it.
But there are several issues regarding to traffic in Pune(It will include PMPML, Pune-Lonavala local, etc).
So we can discuss on those issues under this thread.

engineer.akash

January 27th, 2010, 11:06 PM

Indtrans

January 28th, 2010, 05:36 AM

Patil Saheb,
Vishay asa aahe ki...
The main issue is of traffic and public transportation. The transportation might be raod/rail based, but all the issues are some how corelated to each other.
Now come to Old 'Pune-Mumbai' highway.
I like to appreciate thanks to PCMC for providing FOBs and underpasses at various places on the road(such as Vallabhanagar, Kharalwadi, HA, Chinchwad,etc.). I have also observed that many people has started using those ways to cross the road safely.

engineer.akash

January 28th, 2010, 11:59 AM

punekar

January 28th, 2010, 12:42 PM

IchimaruGin1

January 28th, 2010, 04:36 PM

Pune metro project is all hogwash (quite similar to the Chakan airport). Until Pune becomes a capital city (after Mumbai is granted statehood), really no mega project will move in the city.

For years, people have been debating Skybus, monorail, metro, BRT, etc etc. Very little has been done so far to improve mass transport for a city of 5 million plus. I personally feel that the current Metro routes chalked out by DMRC are flawed since they do not go thru high density corridors. In fact, a big chunk of it goes along the commuter rail network. What's the point!!!

My prediction - it will take 5 years before the bhoomi-poojan of any such project. Lets hope I am proven wrong for the sake of all Punekars.

pune airport was un needed

you will be 120km (or 2 hours by car) from the navi mumbai airport and 150 km from sahar (3 hours). 150 km (3 hours) from the third airport which will come up at Nevali near kalyan. That would have been overkill with the current one air strip you share with the Airforce which is being expanded for pune to handle some international flights and double capacity. I think kalmadi is a dumbo and dont like him but he had a point on this. Just because mumbai becomes a state does not mean that basic capitalism will disappear. an airport needs to be financially viable. Pune is just too near to mumbai for that to be the case

I have travelled from one end of Pune to another (about 40km from Dehu road in pimpri to Manjari ) from about 8 am on a weekday in one hour and twenty min by car (a santro) through the centre of pune. The same distance in Mumbai (from thane west to nariman point) takes about 2 hours 30 min in rush hour. Took me about 50min from Dehu to reach the centre of pune about 30km. Pune has excellent roads which are certainly coping well.

There is nothing fundamentally wrong with pune to begin with. Pune should compare itself with Ahmedabad.

The metro in pune though needed in the future , is not a burning issue for now. Yes it would be great in city formation if that happened. But its not as dire a situation as you are painting.

Indtrans

February 2nd, 2010, 06:14 AM

Some days before I have seen 12 rake local on Pune Lonavala route. Are there all the local trains of 12 rakes, or some are still of 9 rakes?

Indtrans

February 2nd, 2010, 06:26 AM

Indtrans

February 2nd, 2010, 08:18 AM

The responsibility of metro project should be given to PMRDA. PMC should not execute the project. The reason is that some routes are covering areas which are not under PMC. So while executing PMC might face issues. PMC and PCMC can be partners in the project.
Even in Mumbai BMC is not handling the Metro project. It is been handled by MMRDA.

cncity

February 2nd, 2010, 04:37 PM

PUNE: The much talked about ring road passing around PCMC and PMC areas become the first project to be undertaken by the soon to be formed Pune Metro Regional Development Authority (PMRDA). A decision to this effect was taken by a high level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan in Mumbai recently.

The formation of the PMRDA, pending with the state government for over last three years, may now be expedited, with most officials of the view that the road can best be undertaken under that authority.

While the meeting did consider other options but the PMRDA model received most acceptance.

The chief minister had directed officials to submit a proposal in the next one week over the road. Former municipal commissioner, Praveensinh Pardeshi had earlier submitted a proposal for the ring road which put its costs at Rs 400 crore.

However, the two corporations, nevertheless will have to put in their shares towards the constructing the road.

http://www.sakaaltimes.com/SakaalTimesBeta/20100202/5588471244381129326.htm

With the Navi Mumbai airport, the Pune airport wont be needed for passenger flights, however it was mentioned that the Pune airport which will be as big as the Mumbai airport will be more widely used for cargo flights than for commercial flights, which does make sense considering the huge base of industries in the Mumbai/Pune/Nasik belt.

But for Pune as a city, the metro is certainly a must as population wise the city is not much smaller than B'lore or Hyd and with industries and offices spread all over the city, a fast mode of transportation is highly required. Even a monorail would have made a lot of sense as the volume is not as high as mumbai and it would be cheaper as well.

India101

February 3rd, 2010, 08:52 AM

Hope this PMRDA is better than the MMRDA

IchimaruGin1

February 5th, 2010, 01:08 PM

I read comments from Mr.Inchi that there is no need for metro for Pune.
I want to tell that some time ago Metro man E Shrredharan has suggested to GOI that Metro system is needed for major cities in India including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Banglore, Pune and Ahmedabad.
The construction in already going on in Delhi,Kolkata, Mumbai and Banglore (Some sections are already operational in some of these cities).
ES was working in Indian Railways. He had studied the traffic situation in major cities in India and then suggested the solution as Metro.
Our dear friend has just travelled once one point to another (not by using public transport) and made conclusion that there is no need for metro.

yes and i did not say metro was not needed. Read the posts again.

just feel its not a burning issue. On top of which i have travelled many times through pune and the roads are very good. It does not take long to travel form mumbai to pune to use it.

Pune though maybe better served with retrying the BRTS system and taking inspiration of Ahmeadbad(a city which is more pop than pune metropolitan area and does not have a metro though it is planning one)

the metro you are proposing right now might be a flop considering good conditions of roads, geographic size , affordable housing and the introduction of very low cost cars like the nano. The average cycling speed for a middle aged women in 40-50 years is about 13 km per hour , 60% of pune metropolitan area lives in that distance from the centre

Once again i wish pune to best of luck with the metro and say that they should invest in a metro for the long term. I dont see the metro as a must in today's pune

cncity

February 5th, 2010, 04:31 PM

Marathaman

February 5th, 2010, 04:46 PM

^Every major city in India needs metro and/or BRTS. We don't need to wait till the roads become a living hell to build one.

IchimaruGin1

February 5th, 2010, 07:40 PM

In my opinion, none of the cities in India except Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata require a metro rail. These are the only cities with population exceeding 10 million. The next cities - Chennai, B'lore, Hyd, A'bad, Pune have populations between 5 - 10 million.

If you look at major cities around the world which have metro's, all of them have CBD's, especially their downtowns where all the offices are concentrated. And in such situations you need a metro because you need to carry a lot of people in 1 direction over a short period of time where metro comes handy as it has huge passenger carrying capacity.

But the other 5 cities, dont have a downtown CBD culture. Businesses are spread all over the city in all corners. So there is no 1 direction where 1000's of people will be travelling during business hours and in such a situation, a Monorail would be a much better option as it can carry enough number of people with frequency as much as the metro rail and it is a lot cheaper too. I'm not a fan of BRTS because it still wont be as fast and efficient compared to monorail (1 door for all the people to enter and get down the bus itself takes more time than a monorail which might have 5 bogeys and wont need to stop at a station for more than 30 seconds. + no traffic or signals which saves more time and space)

exactly

the largest employers in pune are automobile manufacturing IT parks and the educational sector.

these are the three key components of the pune economy which is great as its diverse and makes sure that Pune is fundamentally stable and sound economy. It does not have all its eggs is the same basket. But they are spread all over the city.

which also means as you said there is no CBD in pune. The centre of pune from what i remember was mostly retail shops.

@Marathaman

Money can be used elsewhere like ensure that the basics of the city are met with 24 hour water and 24 hour electricity. Given an option between a metro and basic amenities I would go for the basic amenities.

As i said Pune should really try to have a go again as a BRTS system. It will serve the city well for now.

When the population swells to 10 mill then by all means go for a metro whenever that is.Many cities will have a metro but how many can say they provide 24 hours of basic amenities? pune already is reeling under water shortages

I will say this right now, even mumbai does not need a metro. All what was needed was extensions and additions to the suburban railway. Just because Delhi has a metro which served it will does not mean everybody has to jump the band wagon.

skdubai

February 6th, 2010, 12:50 PM

IchimaruGin1

February 6th, 2010, 01:11 PM

Do you realize how much fuel subsidies alone cost for the govt? public transportation needs to be pushed in a big way in India before the use of cars gets embedded into the culture of the commuters! buses are simply too overcrowded and inefficient and monorails are too short sighted in my opinion.

If they build a monorail now and the population increases fast (which is inevitable when so many of our people still live in villages and are going to move to the cities) 5- 10 years down the line the govt will be sitting with a fully built monorail system in a high traffic density route with no way to change it (atleast in a cheap way).

We cant think of 5- 10 years for urban planning. It should be more like 35-40 years because if we try to do the same thing in 10 years, we will end up spending insane amounts of money on the project like Mumbai and Delhi are having to do. It is much cheaper to do it now and be prepared for the future than wait for it and spend more to build the same thing!!

So we have a little over capacity now, is that such a bad thing?

just FYI btw.. the population of the core city of Paris (which has one of the most extensive metro networks in the world) according to Wiki is 2,203,817. The population of Pune's core city is 3,337,481. So you do the math about whether these cities need a metro or not?

someone said that we should wait till the population increases to 10m to implement a metro. I would suggest to that person to travel in a city like Hyderabad now and then look a citizen in the eye and say the same thing. When it takes you over 2 hours to cross 35 km(thats just at a population of nearly 4m), you have big problems. It grinds the development of that city to a halt!

umm isnt brts public transport?

Paris metropolitan area has a population of about 12 million people. their metro covers the entire area. Dont just select stats which suit you.

35 km 2 hours is acceptable it means getting to the central of hyderabad takes 1 hour from the outer ring.

on top of which yes hyderabad metropolitan area does deserve a metro and has a population of about 7 million. Because the population is right by the time the metro will be implemented.

The core city is not 35 km. of travel. You dont need to live in hyderabad to understand that.

So i will look them straight in the eye and tell them just that.

and even though this is as pune metro thread. This is what the private firms of hyderabad metro think

Hyderabad: Some infrastructure firms that have bid for the Hyderabad Metro rail project concede that they are mulling opting out of final bids due to concerns about its financial viability-Jan 31 2010

Bidders doubt the government’s projections of passenger traffic, which stand at 1.5 million a day in the first year of operation

http://www.livemint.com/2010/01/31231138/Hyderabad-Metro-rail-project-i.html

So i suggest you look them straight in the eye and ask them why they are not bidding for it.....

or I suggest you write to your state gov to heavily increase the taxes to provide for the metro on government funds..

skdubai

February 6th, 2010, 02:05 PM

^^ i was not trying to hide facts.... either ways.. a small correction.. The metro and all its 14 lines cover the inner city and the closeby suburbs of paris (like the business district le defence). The outer suburbs are covered by the RER (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A9seau_express_r%C3%A9gional) which has its own lines and different rolling stock! apart from this there are other suburban lines.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_M%C3%A9tro

under the section Technical summery

"The Paris Metro is designed to provide local service to Paris proper: stations in Paris are very close together, on average 548 m, forming a tight grid. The suburbs, however, are served by the extensions of lines requiring to go through Paris intra-muros to go from one suburban municipality to another. The low speed virtually banned commercial services to outer suburbs (far suburbs of Paris), which are instead provided by the RER"

The 214 KM of paris metro serves the 105 sqkm paris proper (the population of which is 2,203,817) and not the suburbs!

U are also proving my point when you talk about Hyderabad having to prepare from now. You do not build a 100 km worth of meto immediately! it took Delhi nearly 10 years to get there. This is the time for these cities to start is all am saying!

As to why companies are uneasy to bid for the project in Hyderabad, well public transport is expensive and rarely profitable business. Add to this the existing turmoil in the state, it is a tricky situation.

Btw.. lets have a dicussion and not attack each other! lets not use things like "Dont just select stats which suit you." because i compared the core population of pune with that of paris. Nothing more and nothing less!

IchimaruGin1

February 6th, 2010, 02:46 PM

^
i am willing to continue this discussion in the hyderabad metro thread and will make my reply there.

cncity

February 6th, 2010, 03:45 PM

someone said that we should wait till the population increases to 10m to implement a metro. I would suggest to that person to travel in a city like Hyderabad now and then look a citizen in the eye and say the same thing. When it takes you over 2 hours to cross 35 km(thats just at a population of nearly 4m), you have big problems. It grinds the development of that city to a halt!

I never said we have to wait to reach a particular population to get a metro. Its not the total population that matters not even the city population including metro area. Its futile comparing core city population because thats not he reality. Whats important is the ridership which should determine the mode. My point is you need a high passenger carrying public transport when there is a huge population going in 1 direction, which does happen in Paris. Paris have a few CBD's which make the metro viable.

Indian cities dont have CBD's/downtown's.. All the offices, factories are pretty much outside the city and in most cases spread in all 4 directions of the city. Look at all the IT parks, auto industries, SEZ's. People seldom travel to the city core to go to work, except in the big cities like Mum/Delhi.

Monorails are cheaper to build, they take less space than metro stations, and they can run as fast and frequent as the Metro.

As you mentioned. if there's even half a million people travelling in 1 direction in Hyd, it surely makes sense to invest in Metro as you need that high passenger carrying metro.

jpatokal

February 8th, 2010, 08:31 AM

In my opinion, none of the cities in India except Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata require a metro rail. These are the only cities with population exceeding 10 million. The next cities - Chennai, B'lore, Hyd, A'bad, Pune have populations between 5 - 10 million.
:ohno:

The rule of thumb for metro design is that cities require/can support about one metro line per million population. There are thus about 50 cities in India (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_million-plus_agglomerations_in_India) that really should have metro systems. No city in India comes even close to this -- Delhi/NCR may have 6 lines by the end of the year, but on a population basis, there should be over 20! For comparison, Shanghai has a population of "only" 18 million, yet they have completed 11 lines (13 by mid-2010) and are going to build at least 11 more by 2020.

But the other 5 cities, dont have a downtown CBD culture. Businesses are spread all over the city in all corners.
You've got the causality the wrong way around. Eg. in Delhi, the area around Connaught Place and Chandni Chowk was dying a slow death because there was no decent public transport to the area. Now the metro serves both, they have been revitalized, and within 10-20 years you'll start to see central Delhi become more dense and high-rise -- at least if urban planning rules allow it.

Marathaman

February 9th, 2010, 10:50 AM

IchimaruGin1

February 9th, 2010, 11:52 AM

IMO we should just "shut up and build". If there is no need for metro at present, then the metro itself will reshape the city and make itself viable in the not to distant future. Businesses will sprout up near metro stations etc. etc.

but if a Brts can do the job then why not?

many of the huge IT parks in pune for eg there is one inside Magarpatta nagar have the employees of the IT park living in Magarpatta nagar.

Ie its a self contained unit about 10 km from pune centre.

same with the manufacturing on the outskirts of the city. They are trying to set up self contained united with back up generators and private water supply and all with employees living in the near vicinity

Marathaman

February 10th, 2010, 05:06 AM

Ya of course if BRTS is viable then build that.

vijkan

February 10th, 2010, 10:19 AM

I think the discussion here is totally based on assumption like "but if a Brts can do the job then why not ". Here there is a big "IF". I guess DMRC is more competent and they have already done a study and come up with the report and have made recomendations. Should we just not trust it?

Indtrans

February 15th, 2010, 10:58 AM

In today’s newspaper there is news that Metro got the approval from PCM (Pune Muncipal Corporation)but not from PCMC (pimpri-Chinchwad Muncipal Corporation) so far. As the route covers some areas in PCMC it is necessary to get its approval. As per the experts the proposal will come for discussion in PCMC and then there will be voting and then the approval. The whole process will take at least one month(as per experts opinion).
There are also concerns raised that how this ‘Pune Metro’ will be done by any of the Muncipal corporation. Some politicians and social activists have demanded that there should be first formantion of PMRDA like MMRDA and then it will execute the project. PMC and PCMC can be partners in the project but not the main players.
Another debate on ‘Broad’ versus ‘Standard’ gauge has already started in the city.
Let us see what happens.

Indtrans

March 24th, 2010, 09:36 AM

Now PCMC has asked to DMRC to prepare new DPR for the metro route which passing through PCMC area. In the DPR presented to PMC it was mentioned about the 'Chinchwad-Swargate' route. PCMC wants this route to start from Bhakt-Shakti chowk of Nigdi. So it will be 'Bhaktishakti-Chinchwad-Wakdewadi-Swargate' as per their expections. Let us see what happens.
Also there is contraversy between PMC and PCMC on the construction of elevated metro on this route. PMC wants the pillers on the left side of the road while PCMC wants it on the right side.

SBC-YPR

March 24th, 2010, 03:03 PM

Also there is contraversy between PMC and PCMC on the construction of elevated metro on this route. PMC wants the pillers on the left side of the road while PCMC wants it on the right side.

Easy solution - construct the pillars on the median :lol:

Is there any other structure on the median on this stretch? If so, the Metro pillars can run on the left side of the road in PMC limits and switch to the right side in PCMC limits.

Also, left and right side from whose perspective? Left from one direction will be right from the other and vice-versa.

niknak

March 24th, 2010, 03:38 PM

I would rather have 10 BRTS lines instead of 1 Metro line. (1 metro line costs the same as 10 brts lines)

Abhishek901

March 24th, 2010, 06:50 PM

I would rather have 10 BRTS lines instead of 1 Metro line. (1 metro line costs the same as 10 brts lines)

And then you will have 10 times more problems like those faced in Delhi BRT.

niknak

March 25th, 2010, 05:22 PM

No. Delhi BRT was poorly implemented. Look at Ahmedabad's BRT!!

Abhishek901

March 25th, 2010, 05:27 PM

No. Delhi BRT was poorly implemented. Look at Ahmedabad's BRT!!

Even in Ahmedabad BRT will not form the backbone. Ahmedabad is planning a metro (MEGA) as its backbone.

Pune will not remain a city of 4 million forever. BRT cannot accommodate very high loads. Also it will eat a lot of road space and I don't think Pune's roads are that wide to compensate for this loss.

IchimaruGin1

March 27th, 2010, 12:31 PM

Even in Ahmedabad BRT will not form the backbone. Ahmedabad is planning a metro (MEGA) as its backbone.

Pune will not remain a city of 4 million forever. BRT cannot accommodate very high loads. Also it will eat a lot of road space and I don't think Pune's roads are that wide to compensate for this loss.

again dude,

problem is that if you look at Pune the vast majoirty of jobs are generated in the Pimpri/Hinjewadi area far away from the centre of Pune.

Pune does not have a central located CP

on top of which roads in Pune are good compared to the rest of India. It will be cheaper to use a two wheeler than take the metro despite huge hike in petrol costs.

SBC-YPR

March 27th, 2010, 05:18 PM

It will be cheaper to use a two wheeler than take the metro despite huge hike in petrol costs.

In one case, private transport must be disincentivised by making it more expensive - perhaps a Metro cess of Rs. 5 on every litre of petrol, or a congestion charge of Re. 1 per kilometre for private vehicles on routes which the Metro runs.

In any case, I'm sure most people will prefer taking an airconditioned Metro rather than drive 30 km on a two-wheeler in the scorching sun (or pouring rain) and through all the city traffic and pollution. :)

IchimaruGin1

March 27th, 2010, 06:03 PM

In one case, private transport must be disincentivised by making it more expensive - perhaps a Metro cess of Rs. 5 on every litre of petrol, or a congestion charge of Re. 1 per kilometre for private vehicles on routes which the Metro runs.

In any case, I'm sure most people will prefer taking an airconditioned Metro rather than drive 30 km on a two-wheeler in the scorching sun (or pouring rain) and through all the city traffic and pollution. :)

all i am saying is that they really need to consider a metro is needed or not

they IT and motor SEZ which are springing up in Pune have a walk to work philosophy. ie they are self contained units with housing and work side by side. Biggest example is magarpatta nagar. Its the same for the cantonment and university.

I have travelled through Pune in rush hour and its really not so bad. The vast majority of people i saw actually cycle to work in Pune proper. (though they were not the middle class)

though to be fair your point about having options in the rain are certainly valid. You dont want to be riding a 2 wheeler in heavy rain.

Pune from what i know is suffering from water shortages. Might be wise to invest in providing a better supply of water maybe than a metro or the new chakan airport or maybe invest in power infrastructure. I am not saying for one min dont spend the money. Pune deserves investment. Just a thought. Though i am not living in pune but a visitor. I dont have an exact idea.

Just hope they dont construct the metro and nobody uses it. that would be a real shame.

Abhishek901

March 27th, 2010, 07:26 PM

again dude,

problem is that if you look at Pune the vast majoirty of jobs are generated in the Pimpri/Hinjewadi area far away from the centre of Pune.

Pune does not have a central located CP

on top of which roads in Pune are good compared to the rest of India. It will be cheaper to use a two wheeler than take the metro despite huge hike in petrol costs.

Looks like you missed a very important sentence of mine. Let me re-quote:

Pune will not remain a city of 4 million forever.

Pune's roads are not as wide as Delhi's. And why do you think Pune will remain a 4 million city. I think that it will be a mega city (1 crore population) after 3-4 decades. Then I will see how it copes with traffic with such roads.

Why do we have to do something only when situation becomes out of control ? Why do we need to plan for BRT when we know that in coming decades, botth population and wealth will increase many times and we will have to abandon BRT then. Why do we need to waste our money again and again ?

Do you know any city with 7-8 million population with roads as wide as Pune and whose backbone is BRT ?

IchimaruGin1

March 27th, 2010, 07:47 PM

Looks like you missed a very important sentence of mine. Let me re-quote:

Pune's roads are not as wide as Delhi's. And why do you think Pune will remain a 4 million city. I think that it will be a mega city (1 crore population) after 3-4 decades. Then I will see how it copes with traffic with such roads.

Why do we have to do something only when situation becomes out of control ? Why do we need to plan for BRT when we know that in coming decades, botth population and wealth will increase many times and we will have to abandon BRT then. Why do we need to waste our money again and again ?

Do you know any city with 7-8 million population with roads as wide as Pune and whose backbone is BRT ?

hmm and your missing my point. The new developments which are leading to population growth are self contained units. ie everybody is not going in the same place at the same time.

And yes Pune to Pimpri-chinchwad a metropolitan and urban area of about 5 million.

Nobody is stopping you from constructing a metro once there really is a need.

there are plenty of 5 million plus urban area cities in the USA which are doing just fine thanks to distributing their commercial space in different directions

I dont understand this blind love for building a metro and i get a strong feeling that just cause chinese cities are building a metro means we have to follow them.????

The chinese have money to burn and we dont. Obviously if India and Pune had 24 hour water electricity and other stuff i would say hell go for it. As things stand we dont.

In mumbai you know there is a burning demand for a metro as things with traffic as so bad. Thats not the case with pune and wont be the case even if the population doubles due to the layout of the city, placement of places of work and the cheapness of cars like the nano.

skdubai

March 27th, 2010, 08:18 PM

^^ we do not want to follow the US model do we?? You can see how dependent the US has become on its automobiles and how much they pay for fuel because of it. We need to encourage public transport right from the get go!! And if people develop the culture of using public transport now, you wont have to invest in the time consuming process of convincing people to adopt public transport. This is wat is happening in places like Dubai for example. For years, there were bus services in the city, but no body used them because they were always late, uncomfortable, unreliable (btw, most of those buses were the maropolo low floor buses, which are much better than most of the buses on Indian roads anyway). Now that everyone is used to driving around in their cars, its almost impossible to convince them to use the metro even though it is available and hence gridlock on the roads!!

Wouldn't you have preferred that Mumbai built the metro before the need got so bad? That's the entire problem with our urban planning model!! planning means 2-3 decades form now, not 2-3 years! As people move from villages to urban centres, cities like Pune will be the recipients of a lot of those migrants!! and if the pace of development moves at the same rate, the 7-10 million days may not be too far off. It takes years to develop a metro network. This means that it will take at-least a decade to develop the current master plans, by which time, they will be badly needed. But if we wait till the end of the decade and then start, then thats 10 more years of misery for people while roads are closed for the construction of the metro. Plus it will cost many times more then to build!

Also your point about self sufficient work areas is kinda laughable. Historically, most cities develop based on small and medium scale industries, who will hire people from anywhere within the city, not necessarily from within their area. Some big companies may decide to house their staff nearby, but most wont. And people who are natives of Pune or own houses etc., what of them? they are expected to move to these areas? it just does not work that way! people will live where they want to and place of work is not always the deciding factor for everyone. I for one would prefer to stay closer to the centre of town even if i have to commute to work every day!

Abhishek901

March 27th, 2010, 08:31 PM

hmm and your missing my point. The new developments which are leading to population growth are self contained units. ie everybody is not going in the same place at the same time.

You mean nobody will come from other parts of Pune to work there ? Companies will hire only those people who live near their campus ?

Even Gurgaon generates many jobs but it's not just people of Gurgaon who work there but people from other parts of Delhi and NCR also drive to Gurgaon. And a vehicle driving from Delhi to Gurgaon will contribute to traffic of both Delhi and Gurgaon and not just Gurgaon.

And yes Pune to Pimpri-chinchwad a metropolitan and urban area of about 5 million.

Ichi baby, I was talking of future. What will happen when it will be a 1 crore plus metropolis ?

Nobody is stopping you from constructing a metro once there really is a need.

Then why waste money on BRT or monorail first when you have to build metro 10 years later ?

there are plenty of 5 million plus urban area cities in the USA which are doing just fine thanks to distributing their commercial space in different directions

Do you know what are the population densities of those cities and what are the road systems of those cities. It does not depends only on distribution but on the population density and the road network.

Even Delhi has so many business districts. It's CBD is just a small fraction of the total business. And all the business districts all well spread over all parts of Delhi. Still Delhi has so much of traffic, isn't it ?

I dont understand this blind love for building a metro and i get a strong feeling that just cause chinese cities are building a metro means we have to follow them.????

Hehe, we are not following China. Our cities are similar to their cities (huge population and density), that's why we need metros like them and not because we are having a race with them.

skdubai

March 27th, 2010, 08:37 PM

Hehe, we are not following China. Our cities are similar to their cities (huge population and density), that's why we need metros like them and not because we are having a race with them.

I would like to add just one more thing here... China is not blindly burning money here! there is a serious method to their madness! India and China depend heavily on oil imports. Public transport will mean less cars on the road which equals less imports on fuel! Be it long distance or intra city, they are trying to get the population away from personal vehicles!

The US has been writing oiu's to the oil exporting nations for all its fuels. And since they are more than happy to accept them, there has been no pressure on the country to be fuel efficient. China and India do not have that liberty!

vijkan

March 27th, 2010, 08:45 PM

in short are you saying that we should wait to see that things that are happening in banglore happen in pune. So wait till you get thirsty then start digging the well. then we should not blame our politicians for dragging their foot. if public is of this opinion then why to put blame on politicians?

I am in brussels and its a very small city and businesses are all over brussels (population 1m - less than half of punes population). but still here we have 3 metro lines and enumerable tram and bus line apart from railways. (and almost all other european cities of these sizes have the same fcilities. - believe me people like to use it if they have it) I dont understand why people still think that even big cities like pune dont need metro?

Abhishek901

March 27th, 2010, 08:59 PM

^^ +1

adam_india

March 27th, 2010, 09:26 PM

pune desperately needs a metro. the traffic is just horrible and could be one of the most chaotic in India. I live in Pune, say morning rush hour and evening rush hour is the worst it can be. I think the traffic is sort of more chaotic because of the large no. of motorcycles. 2 decades ago maybe some people drove cycles, now it's mostly just school going children and it's pretty dangerous, only thing about it is that schools start early so that helps. The bus transportation is abysmal, it's neither punctual nor are there many buses. They are mostly super crowded. I think most people in Pune support the metro, because the amount of traffic that has grown in the past one decade, that cannot be sustained. I think like the no. of cars may have trippled and the no. of bikes grown by five times. They have widened most of the roads, but there is no more space to do that anymore. Pune desperately needs better public transportation, that could be anything, both buses, metro. I'm sure the delhi metro people who prepared the pune metro plan calculated the figures for feasibility. As far as public transport system is concerned none of the plans have fructified whether it's the skybus, BRTS, metro. Also other things like building more flyovers, the ring road, everything seems to be stuck in a limbo. damn the authorities.

IchimaruGin1

March 27th, 2010, 11:59 PM

ok simple question

(a) pune faces severe water cuts

(b) pune faces severe rush hour traffic.

which one needs attention first? Its not as if everything is hunky dory apart from traffic.

Do you people know that our debt to GDP ratio is 80%? IE the sum total of the debt we have is 80% of our gdp. Now with such things in mind do you really think we can afford to plan ahead? The government bond ratings are just a touch above junk.

China can afford to think ahead as they have low debt. They have 2 trillion dollars worth of forex reserves. We really cant.

Have any of you actually read the feasibility report for this? or for matter gone through this thread? Do you know that stories that the mayor of Pune cited many technical issues against the metro but was silenced by the vested interests of the political parties who have purchased a lot of land along this route?

Do you know that the cost of this metro is turning out to be 9500 crore (which many say is also grossly underestimated amount, just google search it ) which is nearly 5 times the annual budget of the Pune Municipality (2000 crore) ?

Delhi metro phase one (65km) cost 10,500 crore.

http://www.delhimetrorail.com/corporates/projectupdate/project_cost.html

Pune Metro phase one (40km) (9km underground) (projected cost which is grossly underestimated at 9500 crore. Independent estimates put it at 15,000-20,000 crore)

Honestly people, read through the reports about the cost of this project. Its going to heavily escalate to make it too costly for now. Its not as easy as lets build this. Keep the costs in mind. Keep in mind that we are deep in debt as a country and cant simply splash out.

I have nothing against Pune having a metro, but not at that cost. Let pune take the proper steps and implement a BRTS and then build a metro as is the need.

A metro is not the only solution to traffic problems of a city.

This is the feasibility report of the Pune metro

http://government.wikia.com/wiki/Metro#Opposition_by_Civic_Groups

(its split in parts)

This is a critique of the Pune metro

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090507210511/government/images/e/ef/Critique_of_DMRC_Report_for_Pune_Metro_-_by_V.K.J_Rane.pdf

I read the critique and it made way more sense to me than the report for the metro.

Please do have a read before commenting.....

IchimaruGin1

March 28th, 2010, 12:06 AM

oh yeah and another thing

if this metro project does go ahead then despite grants from the central gov and state gov

Pune municipal council will have to heavily raise taxes to pay for this (and thats for the 9500 crore, god knows what they will do for the actual estimated price).....

A lot of this project has the finger prints of sharad Pawar written all over it with respect to purchase of land near proposed metro routes.

Its not a financially feasible project for a relatively small city of pune to undertake.

so have a read of the pro and against points for a metro and lets make an educated comment on the issue. Not vague ones stating that India should "plan ahead"

adam_india

March 28th, 2010, 04:48 AM

Well, the water cuts issue, I feel this is being artificially created as water for Pune is being diverted to Baramati thanks to Ajit pawar, minister for water stuff and something else and also guardian for Pune district. Pune has never ever faced water problems then suddenly out of nowhere it faced water cuts although the dams were all full the year previous to that. How does one explain that? Pune is luckily blessed by there being enough water bodies around it. It is not a choice, Pune can do both, I think they are planning to levy a tax on petrol to fund the metro. That's fine, by me, anyway like most of the amount is going to be given by state and central govt. (I think is it 60 percent or 80 percent, and rest of the amount is going to be raised through the market in the form of bonds or something like that, for this the PMC, I think already has formed a special purpose vehicle, which would be semi autonomous like the delhi metro. Then they are also trying for funds from the ADB or a soft loan from japan. In the media, no one has raised the financial issue, not even by some of the NGO's opposed to it, so I guess it isn't that much of a problem. The main controversy was regarding the guage. Well the metro has full support from the pune people.

adam_india

April 23rd, 2010, 08:05 AM

Times of India, Pune edition, 23.04.2010

State approves Vanaz-Ramwadi metro corridor

Radheshyam Jadhav | TNN

Pune: The state government has endorsed the Pune Municipal Corporations (PMC) stand to build the 14.925-km second corridor of the metro railway from Vanaz on Paud road to Ramwadi on Ahmednagar road without waiting for the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporations go-ahead.
The first corridor runs between the PMC and the PCMC limits.The PCMC has not responded to the PMCs proposal.If the PMC needs a metro quickly and cannot wait for the PCMC to decide,the state has no problems, urban development departments (UDD) principal secretary T C Benjamin told TOI on Thursday.
A high-powered committee led by state chief secretary J P Dange will look into the project which will be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had recommended its model for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.The report suggested the execution of the project on two corridors.The first corridor is from the PCMC building to Swargate while the second will run from Vanaz to Ramwadi.
The 75-km project encompasses Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad involving both civic bodies.However,the PMC will build the second corridor,which falls in its jurisdiction,first and not wait for the PCMCs consent.The PCMC had recently sought a detailed project report from the DMRC for the metro which would fall in its area.
The PMC standing committee had decided to build the metro railway on the Vanaz-Ramwadi corridor last month.The project will cost Rs 2,281 crore (including taxes).The civic body will contribute 10 per cent and get 40 per cent from the state and the Centre and source the rest from private players.
The state government is okay with PMCs stand.The standing committee has already approved the resolution to implement the project in the second corridor.The state government has asked the PMC to place the proposal before the general body for discussion and then forward it to us.We will place the proposal before the cabinet so that execution of the project can start immediately, Benjamin said.
With the state,the Centre and the PMCs contribution,the loan component needed could fetch sufficient funds for the execution of the second corridor.The standing committee has also resolved that the metro corridor be extended to Kharadi and Chandannagar, he added.
Speaking to TOI,standing committee chairman Arvind Shinde,said,The proposal for the metro railway from Vanaz to Ramwadi has been placed before the general body.It will be approved as soon as possible.
The civic body wants local representation in the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).Local representation will sort out any problems in the project.We are mulling the structure of the SPV, said Shinde.

adam_india

April 23rd, 2010, 08:08 AM

TOI, Pune, 24.04.2010
High-powered team to steer metro plan

Panel Under The State Chief Secretary Will Look Into The Details Of The Pune Project

Radheshyam Jadhav | TNN

Pune: A powerful committee led by state chief secretary J P Dange will look into the Pune metro project which will be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
Speaking to TOI on Thursday,the state urban development departments (UDD) principal secretary T C Benjamin,said,As per the detailed project report for the Pune Metro,the SPV is necessary.It will have an ex-officio chairman,three directors and one member-secretary.The panel under the state chief secretary will look into the details of the metro project.
An SPV called the Pune Metro Rail Corporation (PMRC) will be formed as per the Companies Act,1956 and representatives of the state and central government would be appointed as directors.
Benjamin said the proposal for the SPV has not yet been forwarded by the civic body.
The project has already been delayed.The state will not keep any proposal pending, he added.
The final draft submitted to the PMC by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in June 2009 says that the state government was to approve the plan in June,while the central government was to give its consent by August.
A tendering system was scheduled for October 2009,after which work was to begin.
The plan perceived the metro for Pune by May 30,2014,while the total 75-km network for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad would be ready by the end of 2014.

WHAT THE FINAL DRAFT REPORT HOLDS

t The Delhi Metro Rail Corporations (DMRC) final draft report expected that the Pune metro project could be completed by 2014-2015 at a cost of Rs 8,401 crore (first corridor) and Rs 9,534 crore (second corridor)

t The Pune metro,like the DMRC,can request for concession on value added tax and concessions in electricity and other municipal taxes.

t The PMC needs 64,435 hectare of land for the metro.

t The area,along with the metro corridor,could be commercially exploited by giving additional FSI which would raise Rs 2,000 crore in the first four years of its implementation.

t As per the DMRC model,40 per cent funds could be raised from the state and central governments and the remaining would come from property development,market borrowing and soft loans

THE JOURNEY SO FAR

n May 2006:

Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar says he will look into a metro rail project for Pune,provided the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations submitted a combined plan.

n November 2006 :

A proposal is tabled before the PMCs standing committee to get a detailed project report from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC) to implement the metro.

n August 2007:

Municipal commissioner Pravinsinh Pardeshi says the PMC will not opt for an underground metro rail system as it was very costly.

n May 2009:

Civic activists,town planners and experts oppose the PMCs move that envisaged 4 FSI for a 500m area on either sides of the 31.5 km proposed route.

n June 2009:

The DMRC submits a final draft for the metro rail project to the civic body recommending its model for Pune as it had an edge over the public-private partnership (PPP) and build-operate-transfer (BOT) models.

n August 2009:

Chief minister Ashok Chavan assures funding for the project.

n December 2009:

The Pune Metro Sahakarya Samiti (PMSS),a citizens forum comprising transport experts,writes to finance minister Pranab Mukherjee asking him to look into the technology scam in the Pune metro project.

n January 2010:

The standing committee of the PMC approves the DPR.The general body too okays the DPR.All parties including the NCP,Congress,BJP,Shiv Sena and MNS support the proposal.

n February 2010:

The metro proposal finds no mention in Pranab Mukherjees Budget speech.Allocations are made for the Delhi,Bangalore,Kolkata and Chennai projects.

n March 2010 :

The standing committee resolves to begin the metro railway on the proposed 14.925 km corridor from Vanaz to Ramwadi.The Pune Technical Coalition (PTC),a conglomeration of architects,engineers,town planners,builders and other organisations demands that the shortcomings be addressed.The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) asks the DMRC to prepare a project report for the metro route along the Pune-Mumbai highway which falls within the PCMC limits.

n April 2010:

The PMC standing committee decides that a special purpose vehicle be formed to implement the project.Kuldeep Singh,a consultant for the Delhi and Bangalore projects,says Punes project is devoid of options and needs an intelligent appraisal.

PCMC building to Swargate

Underground: 5.019 km Elevated: 11.570 km Total: 16.589 km Stations: Nine elevated and six underground Status: Put on hold by the PMC

Vanaz to Ramwadi

Underground: Nil Elevated: 14.925 km Stations: 15 elevated ones Status: The PMCs standing committee has approved the project

The project cost

The second corridor between Vanaz and Ramwadi will cost Rs 1,948 crore (excluding taxes) and Rs 2,281 crore (including taxes).As per the detailed project report (DPR),the PCMC and the PMC were to contribute 5 per cent each to the project.However,the PMC will contribute 10 per cent,while the state and the Centre will contribute 20 per cent each.The remaining 50 per cent will be sourced from private players.

adam_india

April 24th, 2010, 05:31 AM

TOI, Pune, 24.04.2010

Execute metro plan soon: DMRC
DMRC SAYS ROAD-BASED TRANSPORT SYSTEM WON’T DO.
Radheshyam Jadhav | TNN

Pune: Even as various citizens’ groups raise objections to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s (DMRC) detailed project report (DPR) for the Pune metro, the DMRC, in its report, has urged the PMC and the state government to execute the project without any delay.
“Rapid industrialisation and intense commercial developments in the past decades have resulted in a steep rise in travel demand, putting Pune’s transport infrastructure to stress. With the projected increase in the city’s population, strengthening and augmenting the existing transport infrastructure has assumed urgency,” the report states.
The report adds that with a large number of industrial units coming up, traffic in the city is expected to shoot up. Being thickly populated, the city’s transport needs cannot be met by a road-based system, it adds.
The state government has endorsed the PMC’s stand to build the 14.925-km second corridor of the metro railway from Vanaz on Paud road to Ramwadi on Ahmednagar road without waiting for the PCMC’s go-ahead. The state urban development department (UDD) has asked the PMC to forward the general body (GB) resolution immediately.
“As soon as the PMC forwards the GB proposal, we will not delay on our part. In fact, the state has not kept any major proposals of the PMC pending,” state UDD principal secretary, T C Benjamin, said on Thursday.
Standing committee chairman, Arvind Shinde, said, “It is a fact that the project should not be delayed any more. The standing committee has approved the metro rail proposal and the GB will approve it soon. The metro is a strong option to mitigate Pune’s traffic woes and we are confident that the state and the Central governments will support the project in a big way.”
The civic administration is also of the view that the project proposal should be forwarded to the state as soon as possible.
“The PMC has faced a major problem due to the escalation in costs of JNNURM projects that were delayed due to various reasons. So, the civic administration is pushing for the speedy implementation of the metro project to avoid a similar experience. According to September 2008 prices, the project cost for the phase II corridor, between Vanaz and Ramwadi, is Rs 1,948 crore (excluding taxes) and Rs 2,281 crore (including taxes). If we keep the proposal pending, cost escalation will cause funding problems,” a senior municipal official said.
The DMRC report points out that the existing roadbased urban transport system in the city has already come under stress, leading to longer travel time, increased air pollution and rise in the number of road accidents. “Experience has shown that in cities like Pune, where roads do not have adequate width and which cater to mixed traffic conditions comprising slow and fast moving vehicles, road transport can optimally carry 8,000 persons per hour per direction (phpdt). When traffic density increases beyond this level, the average speed of vehicles comes down, journey time increases, air population goes up and commuters are put to increased level of inconvenience. Thus, when on a corridor traffic density during peak hours crosses this figure, provision of a rail-based mass transport, namely the metro system, should be considered,” states the report.

Indtrans

April 29th, 2010, 07:03 AM

PMC wants to execute metro project in its own area while PCMC also wants the same thing. But people in both the areas need to travel within each other cities. SO the state government should execute the entire project.

SBC-YPR

April 29th, 2010, 07:40 PM

^^

What's the problem if PMC and PCMC execute the project within their respective jurisdictions? As long as they agree on a common operator or at least seamless interchange, there shouldn't be a problem. I really wish they'd get down to some actual groundwork instead of quibbling over non-issues like which side of the road the alignment should run on :bash:

Bombay2Calcutta

May 9th, 2010, 06:05 PM

Source (http://www.sakaaltimes.com/SakaalTimesBeta/20100506/4659548896479859472.htm)
Thursday, May 06, 2010 AT 12:00 AM (IST)
Tags: Pune metro, activists, NGO, PMPML, Lokayat, buses
PUNE: Any type of Metro rail, underground or elevated, will be a curse for Pune and will be a heavy long term burden for its common citizens, said members of the city-based NGO, Lokayat, as they launched a campaign against proposed Pune Metro rail. The circular fabric of Pune needs a better bus service and not a Metro, Lokayat activists have said.
Member of the NGO, Alaka Joshi said, “Administration is painting a picture that Pune desperately needs the Metro. There is no doubt that they, along with politicians and industry and real estate mafias have vested interests in it.”
She added, “The decision is being pushed onto us without asking us what we want.”
“We have been given examples of Delhi and Kolkata Metro. We must note that Delhi Metro is incurring losses of Rs 20 to 40 crore per year.
Moreover, Delhi and Kolkata Metro rails are running at just 20 and 10 per cent of their capacities,” revealed Abhijeet AM of Pune Bus Pravasi Sangh, which has joined Lokayat in this campaign along with Pune District Maidservants’ Association.
Abhijeet added, “Pune bus service is deliberately being ignored to create an artificial need for Metro. Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) does not have a full-time head since last eight months. How will it function properly?”
“The final expenditure of the Rs 17,000 crore Pune Metro will escalate from Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 crore as it approaches completion, like all other projects. Why should the poor citizens be taxed for the facilities meant for only middle class and rich citizens,” said Joshi.

3000 BUSES NEEDED

Alaka Joshi, an activist of Lokayat said, “Pune needs 3,000 buses as against the present fleet of 1,300. It will cost Rs 300 crore, just two per cent of cost of metro. If there is proper planning, things will be better in Pune. Administration does not want this as there is less scope for corruption.”

avikid

May 9th, 2010, 07:10 PM

Source (http://www.sakaaltimes.com/SakaalTimesBeta/20100506/4659548896479859472.htm)
We must note that Delhi Metro is incurring losses of Rs 20 to 40 crore per year.
Moreover, Delhi and Kolkata Metro rails are running at just 20 and 10 per cent of their capacities,”

False.
Don't know about Kolkata Metro, but Delhi Metro is running on operational profit. And it is definitely not being used only 10-20% of its capacity. Don't know about Kolkata Metro though. But with the huge density of Indian population, I really doubt that..

kronik

May 9th, 2010, 09:16 PM

I respect contrary voices to popular views and believe that many times NGO's do point out certain flaws and errors, but some of the points made in that news article are just bordering on ridiculous.

Since when has a metro been a facility only for the rich and middle class?

The Delhi metro regularly crosses daily ridership of over 1 million and is adding a new train to its fleet every 2-3 weeks. I've been on the Kolkata Metro many times, and considering that it runs on only one line, it is definitely running at a much higher capacity. I've seen huge crowds every time. Kolkata Metro is in the red for a myriad of reasons, including creaky infrastructure, huge number of ticketless riders, and very few new rolling stock. Its in a bad shape because its run atrociously.

Does any city bus service in the country make a profit? I doubt it. A public utility should not function with the aim of profit but with the function of meeting most of its objectives while covering costs.

engineer.akash

May 9th, 2010, 09:22 PM

Does any city bus service in the country make a profit?

BMTC- Bangalore.............The only profit making city bus corporation

Prodigist

May 9th, 2010, 11:54 PM

BMTC- Bangalore.............The only profit making city bus corporation

APSTRC-Andhra Pradesh RTC makes profit in the Hyderabad Region.. however this is used to fund operations in the rest of the state

Karnataka has divided its RTC into 6 diff RTC's and BMTC is one of them..

Edit:- To my suprise APSTRC was also profitable on the whole(Rs. 107 crores during 2008-9 -couldn't get the latest year's online)

anujkb

May 11th, 2010, 04:08 PM

Hi,

In Pune, I will tell, mind my words, NO PLANS FOR developing public transport will materialise. The reason is the current pune PMC (Ma. Na. Pa.) has staff and all corporators from the party which is supported by the rickshaw Union (I wont take his name). I hope everything is clear.

BRTS is nothing, it is just a show for Indian cities, the corportors knew that there would be no losing of rickshaw business for this and hence they have implemented it.

I submitted a 20 page report on scope of development of Pune's municipal transport and Mayor (that time- Dec 07) Rajlaxmi Bhosale said me and my friend the above thing. This is the reason why Pune doesnt have:
1. Proper buses and PMPML PMT and PCMT are still grunting after JNNURM funds.
2. Intracity suburban railway network like Mumbai. You can make a diesel railway service (DEMU) from Chinchwad (or akurdi, for that case) to Daund and Chinchwad to Saswad for local people.
3. Water transport is totally feasible, but never tried.
4. So isnt anything like monorail, skybus and metro tried here.
5. forget the skywalks. where will u build them.

Forget this, If you want a metro in Pune, the following 3 routes were identified by me long ago:

1. Chandan nagar to Warje via kalyaninagar, osho centre, pune stn, (u/g) laxmi road, deccan, KoDepo (kodepo=kothrud depot), chandni chowk and warje.
2. Khadki Bazar to Katraj via Khadki, Bund garden, university, ganesh khind, Shi.nagar (shivajinagar), common route from deccan to laxmi road, tilak road, swargate, bibwewadi, Katraj.
3. Swargate to Magarpatta city via solapur road.

Once these 3 routes (5 arms) done, there is no need of anything more,.

Pune has 1.2 vehicles per person and this is 8 times higher than mumbai. No of vehicles in Pune is 18 lakhs and in Mumbai its only 7.5 lakhs. Pune is 2nd in private vehicles after Delhi. Then is Hyderabad, bangalore and then Mumbai. I cant cite the source but anyways you can google the data.

Abhishek901

May 15th, 2010, 11:41 PM

Pune has 1.2 vehicles per person and this is 8 times higher than mumbai. No of vehicles in Pune is 18 lakhs and in Mumbai its only 7.5 lakhs. Pune is 2nd in private vehicles after Delhi. Then is Hyderabad, bangalore and then Mumbai. I cant cite the source but anyways you can google the data.

Population of Pune is more than 40 lakh, which means that no. of vehicles is less than 0.5 per person.

cncity

May 20th, 2010, 07:15 PM

PUNE: Notwithstanding the objections raised against the proposed elevated metro route from Vanaz to Ramwadi, the ruling parties in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Wednesday categorically stated that the general body (GB) will approve the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) plan for an elevated metro without any amendments.

The plan of building a metro railway on the proposed 14.925 km metro corridor from Vanaz to Ramwadi is on the GB agenda and was to be taken up on Wednesday. However, the GB was adjourned after paying homage to former vice-president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. The opposition parties, including the BJP and the Shiv Sena, demanded that the metro proposal should be postponed by a month. However, the ruling NCP decided to take up the matter on June 5.

"We are firm on our stand that the metro proposal will be approved by the GB without any amendments. The DMRC has tabled a detailed proposal and all parties have already approved it in the standing committee. The opposition parties wanted some time to discuss the proposal with their leaders and hence we have decided to take up the matter on June 5," senior NCP member and leader of the house in the PMC, Nilesh Nikam, said.

Nikam said that the objections raised by some groups will be taken into consideration. "We will forward these objections to the DMRC and get responses. We will take everyone into confidence. However, there will be no amendment in the DPR at this stage and the metro proposal will be approved in its existing form," Nikam said.

Arvind Shinde, Congress leader and standing committee chairman, stated, "The Congress supports the metro project and we will go ahead with the proposed elevated metro as suggested by the DMRC. We are confident that the plan will be approved unanimously next month."

Some organisations, including the Pune Metro Jagruti Abhiyaan (PMJA), the Pune Technical Coalition Committee (PTCC) and Janwani, on Wednesday held an agitation at the PMC gates, demanding that the proposal should not be approved in its present form.

The DMRC has suggested execution of the project on two corridors. The first corridor runs from the PCMC building to Swargate, while the second from Vanaz to Ramwadi. The first corridor will run within both PMC and PCMC limits. PMC members have alleged that the PCMC is dragging its feet on the project and the PMC should go ahead with the phase II corridor running only within its limits.

Phase II will cost Rs 2,281 (including taxes), of which the PMC will contribute 10%, the state and the Centre will pitch in 40% and the rest will come from private players.

The standing committee has already resolved that the metro corridor be extended to Kharadi/Chandannagar as per convenience and availability of funds. It also decided to appoint a special officer to co-ordinate the project.

Chugging along

Corridor 1: PCMC to Swargate

Underground: 5.019 km

Elevated: 11.570 km

Total: 16.589 km

Stations: Nine elevated and six underground

Status: Put on hold by the PMC

Corridor 2: Vanaz to Ramwadi

Underground: Nil

Elevated: 14.925 km

Stations: 15 elevated ones

Status: PMC standing committee has approved the project. The proposal has now been forwarded to the GB for approval and will come up for discussion on June 5

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Pune/Despite-protests-PMC-to-go-ahead-with-metro/articleshow/5951000.cms

Indtrans

May 21st, 2010, 01:26 PM

I think that we can see some progress(might be on paper) in 'Vanaz-Ramwadi' route in coming months.
At least the discussion about the project has started in the city.

shanware

May 26th, 2010, 05:12 PM

Hidden costs of the Pune metro
From : PuneMirror.in
The escalating costs of the Mumbai metro hasn’t taught us a lesson. In most cases, they’ve undervalued or not thought about additional costs the metro project could incur

By Shweta Kapur
Posted On Thursday, May 13, 2010
Popular wisdom says that one should learn from other people’s mistakes. But the administrators of Pune do not seem to think so.

For instance, the cost of the Mumbai metro was initially estimated at Rs 6,376 crores in the plan. However, when the project took off, the cost had touched a whopping Rs 11,000 crore.

And if you consider the way the Pune metro has been planned, such escalation of costs, besides the human cost, is almost certain.

PARK IN THE DARK
While 16 stations have been planned in congested areas like Nal Stop, Deccan Chowk and the Pune Railway Station, the lack of provisions for parking arrangement are a glaring omission.

Shirish Kembhavi, member of the Pune Technical Coalition Committee and Architect-Urban Designer IUDI, said, “The outlined stations are heavily crowded areas, and the report has proposed nothing for the provisioning of a parking system, no drop-off points or even underground parking areas.

The question after that is, how will the metro be linked to people who arrive on secondary modes of transport?” In short, if you come to the metro station on your bike, where would you park it to take the train?

COSTS OUTLINED: ZERO FELLED AND FORGOTTEN
The DMRC report estimated that there are 2,500 trees along the route. It said around 685 trees would probably have to be felled in the course of constructing the elevated metro. There is some discrepancy involving this number, as a different part of the report mentions the number of trees that will have to be felled at 900.

The actual cost of these trees is estimated at Rs 8.22 lakh, with the average cost per tree at Rs 1,200, but environmentalists have rubbished this.

The afforestation costs for re-planting five trees per one felled has been taken at Rs 29 per tree, totalling Rs 1 lakh. While the report mentions these are to be planted on government land, no specific environmental rehabilitation plan has been is outlined for the part of the route that will see large scale loss of green cover.

FLORA/FAUNA LOSS: UNDER CALCULATED HURT LOCKER
The four year long charted time-frame for the construction of the elevated metro, not allowing for delays, would involve re-routing of busy roads and numerous traffic delays.

The report has not commented specifically the man-hours that will be spent on road, extra fuel consumption, possible medical repercussions caused by large scale air and noise pollution. These costs would have to borne by citizens.

Experts say an underground metro would have helped avoid such social hazards. A report by IIT Mumbai, authored by S L Dhingra of the Department of Civil Egineering showed the difference in expenses in a comparative study of overhead and underground systems.

The Pune project, however, lacks any such study. Prasanna Desai, architect and urban designer with the Institute of Urban Designers of India, said, “Property rates would come crashing down along the route for several commerical properties — like it has in New Delhi, and not just due to the fire hazards and development control norms the metro tracks would violate because it would pass by these buildings.”

HUMAN COST: UNKNOWN THE LAND QUESTION
The report outlines that there would be land acquisition only at underground stations and interchange station. It mentions that 480 buildings along the entire route have been identified as possible acquistion targets.

However, the Vanaz-Ramwadi route is to be an elevated one, also passing through some structures in a bid to avoid sharp turns, raising questions about exactly who would be affected by this route.

The metro has outlined a lump sum of Rs 321 crore for land acquisition and rehabilitation activities for this route, but the distribution of the allocation and such other specifics have not been defined.
COST: TO BE JUSTIFIED

Copyright 2008 Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. . All rights reserved.

adam_india

May 28th, 2010, 05:30 AM

Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has clarified that after the state and central governments’ approval to the metro project, an interim consultant will be appointed to design the engineering aspects in detail.
In a letter to corporator Ujwal Keskar who had asked for detailed metro station drawings at Nal Stop, city traffic planner Srinivas Bonala said, “ The PMC general body has already approved the detailed project report (DPR) for the metro by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The report has now been presented to the state government for approval. The interim expert consultant will be appointed once the state and central government approve the report. The expert consultant prepares drawings as per designs and then the exact and detailed drawings could be made available.”
Some citizens and non-governmental organisations had objected to the DPR saying that no detailed planning of the metro has been done by the DMRC. The civic body responded to this apprehension.
The standing committee has resolved to build a metro railway on the proposed 14.925 km metro corridor from Vanaz to Ramwadi. The project will cost Rs 2,281 crore (including taxes). The civic body plans to contribute 10 per cent, get 40 per cent from the state and centre and the rest from private players.
The DMRC had recommended that its model for a metro railway be incorporated jointly in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The DMRC had also suggested that a company be formed to run the project.
However, Keskar had questioned the civic body’s stand. “If the interim consultant will be appointed for detailed drawings, why did the PMC spend Rs 2 crore on DMRC. If the DMRC has not worked out details of the project how could the PMC approve the project,” said Keskar.
He has demanded that the civic administration make public the terms and references of the contract with the DMRC.

Source: Time of India, Pune edition, 28/05/2010

Bombay2Calcutta

June 21st, 2010, 02:23 AM

Source (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/broadguage-metro-best-for-city-railway-pravasi-group/636364/0)
Pune:The Railway Pravasi Group has demanded that a broad-guage Metro rail project be implemented in Pune instead of the standard guage Metro rail project Harsha Shah, president of Railway Pravasi Group, said, “Indian Railways is the biggest railway in the world. There are as many as 14,000 trains on 75,000 km of broad guage. All trains run on broad-gauge in the world and is the norm of world class train service,” said Shah. “Indian government and railways have also set guidelines for implementing metro service. These metro can then run on any tracks of the Indian Railways,” Shah added.

Shah said for implementing the metro project, the state government will have to first get the metropolitan status and set up Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority.

Shah said the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation should not be given the job. “Because DMRC does not have the latest technology.”

Shah said Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad should first set up a world class sation for metros. “Go for global tenders so that we get the best in the world. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority is already implementing the metro rail and mono rail. We should take support from MMRDA for implementing Pune metro.”

She said the state government and the MMRDA are pushing for bullet train from Mumbai to Nagpur. “Since the bullet train has point in Pune, then it is possible to get funds from the government for Pune’s metro rail project,” she said.

Shah said the Railway Pravasi Group was pressing for underground metro rail. “In congested areas, there should be mono rail and on narrow roads, there should be funicular train and tram services,” Shah said. The group also demanded local train services from Kharadki to
Khadakwasla.

Bombay2Calcutta

June 21st, 2010, 02:28 AM

Sakaal (http://www.sakaaltimes.com/SakaalTimesBeta/20100618/5203592908350998335.htm)Times
Friday, June 18, 2010 AT 11:58 AM (IST)

The Pune metro project has traveled a lot, albeit only in the civic records. Ever since the metro was mooted, there have been over fifty meetings at various levels and exchanges of hundreds of letters. The PMC’s records show that these meetings involved almost every stakeholder - PMC officials, members of Parliament and State Assembly, corporators, members of various committees, former railway officials and members of the NGOs. Here is a look at what was happening during the last four years.

Year 2006

June 5: A proposal for Pune Metro is mooted with approval from MLAs. July 24: A preliminary meeting with the Delhi Metro officials.

August 14: Delhi Metro forwards elementary proposal to PMC and PCMC

September 2: A presentation on Metro is given to Sharad Pawar

November 22: Standing Committee approves a proposal to allot the work to DMRC

December 7: Municipal Commissioner seeks information on Delhi Metro fees.

Year 2007

July 21: Both the municipal corporations, after separate meetings, announce launch of the project. Discussions held in the presence of officials.

September 28: E. Sreedharan’s visit. Assessment of RITES report. NGOs are involved. Discussions also are held with ILFS and CRISIL who have prepared an integrated traffic management report for PMC and PCMC.

October 8: Proposal for first phase of metro. Three alternatives are presented, permissions sought for a survey.

November 23: Geo-technical surveys and discussions with ILFS and CRISIL.

December 3: Delhi Metro requests for an early decision.

Year 2008

February 7: A discussion on integrated traffic management report.

February 27: A meeting taking review of the project.

March 25: Discussions on a traffic survey done by Mumbai IIT.

April 19: A meeting discussing impact on environment in view of IIT Mumbai report.

April 29: A meeting with departments concerned about proposed flyovers in the city.

May 31: Geo-technical survey begins.

June 11: Delhi Metro forwards suggestions on the corridor.

June 25: A meeting with MSRDC on structures of the flyovers.

July 9: A presentation to the Standing Committee.

August 8: Information sought on flood line from the Irrigation Department

August 21: Discussions with MSEDCL.

August 25: Discussions on metro at a meeting with the chief minister.

September 1: Discussions with MSEDCL

September 8: A flyover at Nal Stop junction is discussed.

December 6: Discussions between PMC and Delhi Metro officials

Year 2009

February: A meeting with Mayor and Standing Committee chairman, presentation to City Improvement Committee and proposal is presented.

May 8: Corporator Anil Shirole raises objections in a letter.

May 14: Draft of project report is presented.

June 9: Retired officials from various fields and NGOs hold discussions with E Sreedharan

June 29: A meeting with officials and NGOs.

July 4: A joint meeting between State government, Delhi Metro and Municipal Corporation officials.

September 1: Replies to the objections raised by Pune NGOs

December 3: A discussion in presence of Pune District Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar

December 10: PCMC Commissioner is appraised through a letter.

Year 2010

January 11: A discussion between PMC and Delhi Metro officials

January 25: Prashant Inamdar writes a letter appealing not to approve the report, also some other organizations write raising objections.

Bombay2Calcutta

June 21st, 2010, 02:30 AM

Sakaal Times (http://www.sakaaltimes.com/SakaalTimesBeta/20100618/5613647817653318212.htm)
PUNE: Officials of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation officials on Friday sounded confident on every aspect of the Detailed Project Report on Pune Metro, that they submitted to the Pune Municipal Corporation, saying nothing in it needs to be changed following the open hearing today where they were flooded with objections to the report.

The officials also turned down suggestions that a mono rail could be a better option for Pune, pointing out that it costs just as much as the Metro. On the issue of stand versus broad gauge, DMRC officials maintained that the standard gauge recommended by them was the best available option and in no way cut upon the carrying capacity of the metro.

Bombay2Calcutta

June 21st, 2010, 02:34 AM

Sakaal Times (http://www.sakaaltimes.com/SakaalTimesBeta/20100618/5075947544660634160.htm)
PUNE: One step forward and two backwards. Pune's first ever open hearing on a mega civic project organised by the Pune Municipal Corporation at the Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hall, on Friday, turned out to be a bitter experience for most NGO's, commoners and citizens, as the administration skirted difficult questions, shielded DMRC officials, and refused to get into any discussion over contentious issues.

Chairman of the standing committee, Arvind Shinde, sprinkling the hearing with cryptic comments, frequently earned the wrath of the participants for interrupting them. He, however , very curiously chose to spare, former veteran corporator, Srikant Shirole, who took the opportunity to break into a long story about his illustrious family rather than talking anything about the metro.

At one point Shinde, abruptly declared the meeting as concluded and even threatened to snatch away the mikes from the hands of the speakers, but was calmed down by the other corporators.

Earlier, the mayor, Mohan Singh Rajpal, who began the proceedings, refused to give participants any idea of the presence of the officials from the DMRC on the dais, until activists insisted he declare their identifies. The mayor just pleaded ignorance saying he neither knew their names nor their designations.

``It was a farce,'' activists, Sujit Patwardhan and Jugal Rathi told Sakal Times. Everything was predetermined, Rathi said.

The DMRC had no answers to many pointed questions from the citizens as to why the actual drawing of the civic structures were not provided in the DPR. When S D Sharma of the DMRC declared the drawing would be send to the DPR at the stage of execution, urban planner, Aneeta Beninnger quipped , ``Fine. Then what you mean to say is this is not the final DPR.' Municipal Commissioner, however, realising the trap the DMRC was falling into, quickly made up by saying the drawings had been submitted to the PMC but were not included in the published DPR.

Auto maker, Arun Firdoiya said the DPR did not allow any integration of other means of transport within the city, nor were there any central hubs to enable citizens to cross over from one corridor to another. Chandmal Parmar, traffic activists said the DPR deserves to be scrapped.

Highlights:

➢ Contrary to popular belief that DMRC is not open for public discussion, it was the elected representatives who appeared to shun all discussions. Many times, when DMRC official appeared keen to elaborate, Arvind Shinde, signaled him to sit down.

➢ Prashant Inamdar, who raised a sea of technical objections on the Pune Metro, was allowed to speak only towards the end, for no more than a few minutes.

Kewl Batty

June 21st, 2010, 05:16 PM

I juzz can't stop laughing at his comments.
Source (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/broadguage-metro-best-for-city-railway-pravasi-group/636364/0)
Pune:The Railway Pravasi Group has demanded that a broad-guage Metro rail project be implemented in Pune instead of the standard guage Metro rail project Harsha Shah, president of Railway Pravasi Group, said, :hilarious:“Indian Railways is the biggest railway in the world. There are as many as 14,000 trains on 75,000 km of broad guage. All trains run on broad-gauge in the world and is the norm of world class train service,” said Shah. :hilarious:“Indian government and railways have also set guidelines for implementing metro service. :bash:These metro can then run on any tracks of the Indian Railways,” Shah added. :bash:

Shah said for implementing the metro project, the state government will have to first get the metropolitan status and set up Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority.

Shah said the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation should not be given the job. :lol: “Because DMRC does not have the latest technology.” :lol: (India Railways has the world most latest technology :nuts:)

Shah said Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad should first set up a world class sation for metros. “Go for global tenders so that we get the best in the world. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority is already implementing the metro rail and mono rail. We should take support from MMRDA for implementing Pune metro.”

She said the state government and the MMRDA are pushing for bullet train from Mumbai to Nagpur. “Since the bullet train has point in Pune, then it is possible to get funds from the government for Pune’s metro rail project,” she said.

Shah said the Railway Pravasi Group was pressing for underground metro rail. “In congested areas, there should be mono rail and on narrow roads, there should be funicular train and tram services,” Shah said. The group also demanded local train services from Kharadki to
Khadakwasla.

engineer.akash

June 21st, 2010, 08:54 PM

I juzz can't stop laughing at his comments.
:lol: :hilarious

Marathaman

June 21st, 2010, 08:56 PM

What the **** is this "railway pravasi group"? Looks more like "railways propagandist group" to me.

Abhishek901

June 21st, 2010, 09:20 PM

:lol: :lol:

devendra1

June 22nd, 2010, 01:53 PM

I have lost Interest in Pune's Metro even though I am resident of this city. These idiots are still debating the route and fighting over standard and Broad guage since 4 years. Yet they have not finalized how will the funds come. And there are Groups in Pune who want think buying more buses and having more BRTS routes will suffice rather than building the Metro due to cost factor. Fools have never travelled in the khatara PMPML buses and are not aware of kind of pollution it does. Even if they buy new buses it becomes Khatara within a year.

adam_india

June 24th, 2010, 07:18 AM

source: TOI, Pune, 24/06/2010 (http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=1&edlabel=TOIPU&mydateHid=24-06-2010&pubname=&edname=&articleid=Ar00101&format=&publabel=TOI)
Pune: Heated debates and high drama prevailed during the marathon sixhour-long general body meeting of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Wednesday which finally gave the green signal to the proposal to build a 14.925-km corridor of the Pune metro railway from Vanaz (Paud road) to Ramwadi (Ahmednagar road).
The general body also resolved to execute a monorail project on the high capacity mass transit route in the city.
With the NCP,Congress and BJP backing the proposal,65 votes were cast in favour.Seven members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena opposed the proposal.The Shiv Sena,which has 21 members in the House of 144,staged a walkout before the proposal was put to vote.Many corporators were absent.
Earlier,the proceedings of the meetings were stalled for ten minutes when the Sena corporators took away the mayors mace.
The Vanaz-Ramwadi route is the second corridor of the Pune metro rail project.The first corridor,which has not been taken up by the PMC and PCMC general bodies yet,has been planned between the PCMC building and Swargate.
Though as many as 19 amendments to the Vanaz-Ramwadi proposal were suggested by the elected members,only three were finally accepted.They were: inclusion of the metro project in the development plan,execution of a monorail project on the high capacity mass transit route and a request to all ministers in the state cabinet,MPs and MLAs from Pune district to pursue the metro project.
A jubilant mayor Mohansingh Rajpal announced that the foundation stone of the project will be laid on December 12 this year,which incidentally is NCP chief Sharad Pawars birthday.
Shiv Sena leader Sham Deshpande said that though his party was not against the metro project per se,it was not willing to support the proposal which he claimed was based on a defective Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).MNS leader Kishore Shinde said,Pune needs a comprehensive traffic plan.Unless that is ready,we cannot approve the metro proposal.
The BJP,NCP and Congress,however,strongly backed the administrations proposal.They accused some NGOs and individuals in the city of carrying out a misinformation campaign against the Metro DPR.
Leader of the house Nilesh Nikam said,NGOs who have nothing to do with the city have unnecessarily created confusion in the minds of the citizens.I congratulate my partymen,the Congress and the BJP for supporting the project,which will change the face of the city.

The Vanaz-Ramwadi plan

14.925 km elevated route 15 stations What next: The proposal will now go to the state government and a high-powered committee led by state chief secretary J P Dange will look into the project,which will be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)

Bombay2Calcutta

June 27th, 2010, 09:43 PM

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Efforts-on-to-push-first-metro-corridor-/articleshow/6088160.cms)
PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has initiated steps to amend differences with its counterpart in Pimpri-Chinchwad to execute the 16.589-km metro railway corridor between PCMC office and Swargate.

On Wednesday, the PMC general body finally gave the green signal to the proposal to build the second corridor of the Pune metro railway from Vanaz (Paud road) to Ramwadi (Ahmednagar road)

"Now we are initiating steps to ensure that the first corridor between the PCMC and Swargate moves forward. I have written to the PCMC municipal commissioner in this regard and I am confident that the PMC and the PCMC will jointly execute the first corridor along with the second one," municipal commissioner Mahesh Zagade told TOI on Thursday. The civic administration would request the state government take immediate steps for the execution of the project, he added.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had recommended that its model for the metro railway be incorporated jointly in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The DMRC had also suggested that a company be formed to run the project. It has suggested execution of the project on two corridors. The first corridor runs within the PMC and the PCMC limits while second is fully within the PMC limits. With both the civic bodies not agreeing on sharing of project cost, the PMC decided to go ahead with the second corridor. The PCMC had taken a stand that it will bear five per cent share only of that part of the project which will be implemented within the PCMC limits and not five per cent of the entire project cost.

"We need to have a comprehensive outlook towards the metro. This mode of transport will help integrated development of the Pune metropolitan area. The PMC is approaching the state government so that execution of the project would be possible without any delay," said Zagade.

Nilesh Nikam, leader of the house in the PMC, said: "Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are just administrative boundaries and the twin cities have been integrated. The NCP has power in both the civic bodies and we will sit together to resolve the issues regarding sharing of the project cost. We want to start work on both corridors simultaneously."

Bombay2Calcutta

June 27th, 2010, 09:46 PM

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Implement-metro-project-on-time-Corporators/articleshow/6088497.cms)
PUNE: While voting in favour of the proposal to build the 14.925-km-long second corridor of the Pune metro from Vanaz (Paud road) to Ramwadi (Ahmednagar road), corporators on Wednesday unanimously demanded that the project should be completed within the stipulated period and should not meet the fate of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) project. Corporators also demanded that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) file a caveat to avoid a stay on the project in the case non-governmental organisations (NGO) and individuals opposing the project approach the court.

The general body (GB) meeting on Wednesday discussed the metro proposal in details for about six and half hours. While Shiv Sena corporators staged a walk out, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporators wanted the administration to push the proposal to the state government with immediate effect.

BJP corporator Vikas Mathkari said, "NGOs and individuals have conducted a misinformation campaign against the metro that has created confusion. Many people have felt the metro will kill the city. I feel the administration and the ruling parties have failed to curb the spread of such falsities and build up credibility. The Shiv Sena probably fell prey to this. The administration should file a caveat to avoid any stay order from the court." NCP's Anil Bhosale said the city should ensure that the project is completed without any obstacles.

MLA and BJP leader Madhuri Misal said, "We are not opposing the proposal. But there are some serious considerations and questions that need to be answered. I hope the project does not meet the fate of the BRTS project, which never actually took off."

Mahasrahtra Navnirman Sena's Kishor Shinde said that executing the metro project without any comprehensive mobility plan will serve no purpose. "We are opposing the proposal because of its lacunas."

Abhay Chhajed of the Congress said, "The detailed project report (DPR) of the metro has already been approved. All the issues raised about the DPR should have came earlier." However, he claimed the BRTS was not a failure and hundreds of commuters on the Katraj-Swargate-Hadapsar route are using the service.

NCP's Subhas Jagtap said, "People (including those in NGOs), who don't even vote (in the general elections), do not have the moral right to say anything. Impractical suggestions are uselessly brought up for discussions and projects are unnecessarily blocked." NCP MLA Bapu Pathare said the opposition to the metro project is baseless and those opposing it are not concerned about problems faced by common citizens.

Reacting to the development, Sujit Patwardhan of NGO Parisar said, "We had many important questions to ask, but no one gave the answers. If the metro is so appropriate for the city, why the high-handed measures by the administration? If MP Prakash Jawadekar had so many objections to the plan, why did the BJP vote in favour of a project that has so many defects? Do the citizens, in whose name all this is being done, have any say at all?"

Now that the PMC's approved the project, the proposal will be forwarded to the state government. A high-powered committee, led by state chief secretary J P Dange, will look into the project which will be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle. The model has been recommended by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

The Vanaz-Ramwadi project will cost Rs 2,281 crore (including taxes). The civic body will contribute 10 per cent, get 40 per cent from the state and the Centre, while sourcing the rest from private players. The state government has already announced that once the PMC forwards the proposal, it will be immediately placed before the cabinet, so that execution of the project can start immediately.

Bombay2Calcutta

June 27th, 2010, 09:50 PM

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Pune/PCMC-to-table-metro-plan-in-GB-in-July/articleshow/6093063.cms)
Pune: Close on heels of the Pune Municipal Corporation general body approving the metro project, its counterpart in Pimpri-Chinchwad is expected to table a similar proposal in July.

PCMC municipal commissioner Ashish Sharma said, "The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has been directed to prepare a report incorporating suggestions made by us. The report will be received in a few days and we will table the proposal in the general body meeting in July."

Earlier, the PMC and the PCMC were to jointly implement the metro project in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad under the Union government's Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme. But after the PMC approved the project on its own on the Ramwadi-Vanaz route two days ago, the PCMC decided to go solo on a few routes.

Sharma said, "We realise the metro network has to be properly integrated in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. But Pimpri-Chinchwad is also a growing city and has its own requirements. As the PMC decided to develop the Ramwadi-Vanaz route on its own, we too will have to develop some routes on our own. Also, some routes will have to be developed jointly for the benefit of both cities like the Delhi-Gurgaon route that connects two cities as well as two states."

Sharma said the DMRC had earlier prepared a report only for routes to be jointly developed by the PMC and the PCMC. Now it has been told to prepare for Pimpri-Chinchwad only.

The PCMC also plans to develop a high capacity mass transport route (HCMTR) as a dedicated bus corridor to improve road connectivity as a stop-gap arrangement till the metro actually starts. "DMRC officials will have a look at the HCMTR too before submitting their report," Sharma explained.

Pimpri-Chinchwad mayor Yogesh Behl said, "We wanted the PCMC's share in the joint metro project with the PMC to be commensurate with our area and length of the route. Now since the PMC is implementing its own metro project it will be bearing 10 per cent of the expenditure instead of the earlier five percent share. The PCMC will also bear 10 per cent of the expenditure for a metro in its limits."

Bombay2Calcutta

June 27th, 2010, 09:53 PM

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Legislature-members-to-push-metro-plan/articleshow/6093039.cms)
PUNE: Legislature members from Pune on Friday promised to pursue the metro rail project at the state government level so that it will be forwarded to the central government.

In an interactive session organised by the Pune Union of Working Journalists, MLAs Vinayak Nimhan (Cong), Mahadev Babar (Shiv Sena), Chandrakant Mokate (Shiv Sena), Madhuri Misal (BJP), Bapu Pathare (NCP) Ramesh Wanjale (MNS) and MLC Dipti Chawadhari (Cong) said that they will put maximum efforts so that the metro project is executed without any delay.

The Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) general body on Wednesday approved the much discussed proposal to build the 14.9-km second corridor of the metro railway from Vanaz on Paud road to Ramwadi on Ahmednagar road. The proposal will now go to the state government and a high-powered committee led by state chief secretary J P Dange will look into it which will be implemented through a special purpose vehicle (SPV).

"I appeal all parties not to play any politics on this issue," Chawadhari said. "All leaders should take up the matter with the state government. Insisting on underground or elevated metro will not help. We should go for feasible options."
Bapu Pathare said, "We will take up the matter in the forthcoming assembly session and will ensure that the state government initiates steps to approve the project and forward it to the Centre."

Nimhan castigated the PMC and all party corporators for delaying the proposal. "The proposal was kept pending with the PMC. Actually the project should be implemented by Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune together. I am still suspicious about the future of the project. It will be scrutinised at the state government level and only then it will be forwarded to the Union government."

The Congress MLA also questioned mayor Mohansingh Rajpal's statement that the foundation stone of the project will be laid on December 12 to mark the birthday of NCP president Sharad Pawar.

Mahadev Babar and Chandrakant Mokat of Shiv Sena said that their party had never opposed the project. "Our argument was that underground metro will be more sustainable for the city. We support the metro project. But along with that the public transport should also be strengthened," Babar said.

Misal said that the BJP's stand was very clear that metro was one of the options to solve city's traffic problems. "My party will pursue the proposal at the state level and the NCP-Congress will execute the project."

Wanjale said that the MNS wanted more discussions on the proposal. "There are many questions left unanswered," he said.

Bombay2Calcutta

June 27th, 2010, 09:58 PM

Indeed this is very funny and creative way to protest. These idiots can go to any level. :bash:

Source (http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/jun/240610-Metro-project-Pune-PMC-Mohansingh-Rajpal.htm)
Opponents of the Metro project may not have been able to stop the proposal from being passed in the general body meeting of the PMC yesterday, but those who wanted to stall the proceedings were at least creative in their attempts to do so. They aimed for nothing less than the Mayor's mace, and succeeded in snatching it.

Shiv Sena corporator Pruthviraj Sutar was the man who snatched the Mayor's mace at the meeting.

The meeting cleared the proposal for the first Metro route work between Vanaz and the airport (Ramwadi).

The proceedings were also interrupted when supplementary suggestion papers were snatched from PMC secretary Ramesh Parkhe. Shiv Sena corporator Shyam Deshpande also staged a walkout when his supplementary suggestions were scrapped.

Mayor Mohansingh Rajpal opposed the vandalism, but had his mace snatched in the melee.

devendra1

July 1st, 2010, 12:02 PM

I don't understand why they mentioned Distance of the First corridor from Pimpri-Chinchwad to swargate as 16.5 KM. The Distance from Chinchwad to Shivajinagar itself is 20 KM and swargate is atleast 5 Km from Shivaji nagar. The distance of this route should be around 25 KMs?

cncity

October 19th, 2010, 03:25 PM

PMC's metro rail plan gets state approval

PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) proposal to build a metro rail has been endorsed by the state government. The government officials on Monday said that the proposal cannot be stayed as demanded by corporator Ujwal Keskar.

The comments came during a hearing in Mumbai on Monday on the mucu-debated metro proposal. While Keskar had asked the government for a stay on the proposal, urban development secretary Manukumar Shrivastav said that there is no such need.

Municipal commissioner Mahesh Zagade and additional city engineer Shrinivas Bonala (in-charge of traffic and transportation) were also present for the hearing. In the discussion that followed the hearing, government offficials said that the technical and financial feasibility aspects of the project will be looked into.

Read more: PMC's metro rail plan gets state approval - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/PMCs-metro-rail-plan-gets-state-approval/articleshow/6771257.cms#ixzz12oKptWJA

achemsRaZor

October 20th, 2010, 05:59 AM

^^

Yay! And it only took 4 years. So by 2014, we will see a plan being forwarded for funding approval and construction shall commence shortly thereafter by 2018 and will be suspended only upto 2021 as a fast track court will be appointed to settle the 334 cases lodged by the bleeding heart environmentalists. :bash:

Sorry for the frustration but we just cant seem to get traction on any important initiatives in Maharashtra !:mad:

Marathaman

October 20th, 2010, 12:59 PM

SSCaddict

October 20th, 2010, 01:05 PM

Meanwhile other developing countries would have built citywide integrated transport systems with affordable mass housing and first rate utilities, all of this while conserving their urban heritage. This country is hopeless.

thanks for your valuable comment :)

and please whenever a moment come for us to be proud of our country then please don't be proud thanks :-)

Marathaman

October 20th, 2010, 01:26 PM

buzz off

World8115

November 1st, 2010, 10:33 AM

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Mayor-confident-foundation-stone-will-be-laid-on-Dec-12/articleshow/6837734.cms)
Although the state is still to decide about the metro railway proposed for Pune and forward the proposal to the Centre, mayor Mohansingh Rajpal on Friday said that as decided earlier, the foundation stone of the project will be laid on December 12, which also happens to be National Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar's birthday.

In June, the general body (GB) of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had approved the proposal to build a metro rail on the 14.925-km-long corridor from Vanaz (Paud road) to Ramwadi (Ahmednagar road). The GB had also resolved to execute a monorail project on the high capacity mass transit route in the city. After the GB's approval, the mayor had announced then that the foundation stone of the project would be laid on December 12.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Rajpal said, "We are following up with the state regarding the approval for the metro rail and I am confident that all technical matters will be sorted out by December 12, allowing us to go ahead with laying the foundation stone."

The Vanaz-Ramwadi route is the second corridor of the Pune metro rail project. The first corridor, which has not yet been taken up by the GBs in the PMC and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporations (PCMC), has been planned between the PCMC building and Swargate.

It may be noted that the state is yet to decide about the proposed project. The Centre's approval will be sought once the state gives its go-ahead. However, the state government has been sitting on the PMC's resolution since June.

Meanwhile, PMC's City Improvement Committee (CIC) has decided to acquire 75 acre of the proposed Bio-Diversity Park (BDP) zone land in Kothrud for the Shivsrushti project. This is likely to affect the Delhi Metro Railway Corporation's (DMRC) plan to build a major terminus for the proposed metro there. In July, the DMRC had communicated to the PMC that the two projects cannot co-exist and its general manager (consultancy), S Sharma, had written to the municipal commissioner saying as much.

"All these matters will be sorted out since the state and the central governments are positive about this project. The PMC has already demanded that the state give priority to projects in Pune as it does to the projects in Mumbai," added Rajpal.

World8115

November 23rd, 2010, 12:16 PM

Source (http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_pune-mps-mlas-will-pursue-metro-project_1470671)
Members of the state legislature and parliament from the city on Monday decided to pursue the metro project proposal, lying with the state government for approval and to be forwarded to the central government.

A meeting was organised by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to apprise MPs, MLAs and MLCs about pending issues with the central and state governments.

The people’s representatives agreed to pursue the metro project, apart from many other issues, with the state government.

The general body of the PMC had approved the proposal for metro project from Vanaz to Ramwadi with a supplementary to extend the project to Lohegaon airport on June 24. Since then, the proposal is pending with the state government for approval.

The meeting was attended by MPs Prakash Javadekar and Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil, MLAs Girish Bapat, Vinayak Nimhan, Bapu Pathare and Madhuri Misal, as well as MLCs Ulhas Pawar and Dipti Chowdhary. Mayor Mohansingh Rajpal, deputy mayor Prasanna Jagtap, leader of the house Nilesh Nikam, group leader of Shiv Sena in PMC Sham Deshpande and group leader of BJP Mukta Tilak attended the meeting.

Municipal commissioner Mahesh Zagade and other officers briefed the leaders about the issues pending with the central and state governments.

It was pointed out that grants and taxes of crores of rupees are pending with both the governments and the representatives were requested to pursue this issue. The MPs were requested to pursue the problem of acquiring defence land for developmental work.

World8115

November 27th, 2010, 03:34 AM

Source (http://www.punemirror.in/article/62/2010112720101127003641326d202882d/Shivaji-project-squeezed-into-a-metro-terminus.html)While the Pune metro is a key step in solving the city’s traffic woes, the project is, quite literally, facing a number of roadblocks. Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) General Body (GB), has sanctioned the Shivshrushti project — a special area depicting Shivaji’s life — on the same plot of land in Kothrud where the Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) had proposed a major terminus for the metro.

On January 27, 2010, the GB had sanctioned the Pune metro project. 11 months later, it passed the proposal for Shivshrushti on the same piece of land. City netas have decided that the extra 87 acres of land required will be taken from bio-diversity parks. The bone of contention here, is that this land is reserved for BDPs alone. Now, the metro could be at a standstill, because general manager (consultancy) of DMRC, S Sharma has clearly stated that only one project is possible on this piece of land.

Interestingly, the project is backed by the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), along with some corporators from the Congress. While none of these parties object to the metro, they argue that both projects can co-exist. Most of them definitely want the Shivshrushti project to take off, maybe even at the cost of the city’s development.

As if this wasn’t enough, about a year ago, Union Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawar, had objected to the metro running through Agricultural College premises. The detailed project report (DPR) was made keeping this plot of land in mind and it now looks out of reach. That means, there are now two major blocks in the metro project — Vanaz in Kothrud and the Agricultural College.

Kothrud is a crucial area for the metro. The plot in Kothrud where Shivshrushti has been proposed measures around 28 acres. This is where DMRC has proposed a terminus. This is also the starting point for corridor no 1 that is Vanaz (Kothrud) to Ramwadi. The corridor is to be 19.93 km long.

Not surprisingly, city netas were not very forthright in their support for the metro project when we spoke to them.

Nilesh Nikam, leader of ruling party of PMC said, “We will build both projects in the same place. We are taking an additional 87 acres land from BDP. Once this is added, to the 28 acres in Kothrud, the total area will be 103 acres. Then it will be easy to make both the projects. We will discuss the detailed plan with DMRC officials. Having the metro terminus there will help the Shivshrusti project.”

Mayor Mohnsingh Rajpal said, “In the DMRC report, they have mentioned that the terminus will be in Kothrud. But, they have not mentioned the actual amount land required. Also, we don’t have a detailed plan showing how much land will be needed for Shivshrushti. We want both projects in the same area - that is why we are taking 87 acres of BDP land. Everyone wants both the projects to go ahead. We had planned the foundation laying ceremony on December 12, 2010. But, now it has been postponed due to the new political situation.”

Traffic planner Shreenivas Bonala, who is looking after the metro project said, “The DMRC had sent a letter to the PMC about the Kothrud metro terminus. They wrote that, both projects should not be made on the same piece of land. But, after detailed work on both projects, I think, it is possible to build them both in the same area.”

When this reporter contacted PMC commissioner Mahesh Zagade, he said, “It is difficult to discuss this over the phone. I would rather speak about it in person.”

The metro is one of Pune’s most ambitious projects as it can meet the city’s transport requirements for the next 30-40 years at least. The carrying capacity of the metro of 25,000 peak hour peak direction trips (PHPDT) will be adequate to meet not only the traffic needs for the present, but the next three-four decades, experts say. The proposed system has been divided into two corridors - the PCMC-Swargate Corridor, which is 16.59 km long, and the Vanaz (Kothrud) -Ramwadi Corridor.

dibdigc

November 27th, 2010, 05:31 PM

^^:bash::bash:

World8115

December 4th, 2010, 04:51 AM

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Metro-plans-hinge-on-citys-change-for-the-better-/articleshow/7038406.cms)The metro project for the city may not get financial support from the Centre if the government decides to accept planning commission's deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia's suggestion.

Ahluwalia, on Friday, made a strong pitch for central support to projects like the metro, roads and bridges to be linked to reforms. And Pune, unlike its neighbour Pimpri-Chinchwad, has not been able to implement many reforms on basic objectives like waste disposal, sewage treatment and drinking water management.

Ahluwalia said that performance of states on reforms mooted by the mission was not encouraging and allocations henceforth would be strictly linked to results. "For the successful achievement of enshrined objectives, it is necessary to set up a credible plan for waste, sewage and drinking water management," he said.

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), along with Mysore, bagged the Union government's first prize in implementing the slum rehabilitation project under the mission by using modern construction technology.

Administrative reforms and various schemes for the urban poor by the PCMC were also appreciated during the national conference organised by the Union urban development department in New Delhi on Friday to mark the fifth anniversary of the launch of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

The day-long conference convened to review implementation of JNNURM was attended by the urban development ministers from the states, mayors of JNNURM cities, municipal commissioners, senior officials of the central and state governments. The conference also discussed implementation of e-governance and property rights to improve governance.

"The PMC is slow on implementing reforms. The central government will surely examine the PMC's record before giving the metro a go ahead," said a senior state official. The metro, he added, was almost impossible if the central government decides against funding.

In June, the general body had approved the proposal to build a metro rail on 14.925-km corridor from Vanaz on Paud road to Ramwadi on Ahmednagar road. The state has to approve the project before the Centre's permission is sought.

The mission requires cities to implement certain reforms vis-?-vis the levy of user charges on different civic services. Many of the reforms mooted by the PMC have remained on paper.

E-governance is one of the mandatory reforms for civic bodies to receive funds from the Centre. So far, the PMC has made efforts like an online complaints redressal system and setting up kiosks where citizens can pay property tax and other payments. However, paper work in the PMC's daily functioning continues.

Another example is the water tax reforms. The civic administration feels that its failure to implement water tax reforms would affect the PMC's chances of claiming funds under the JNNURM for other development works. Proposals for 24x7 water supply, leak detection and water supply rationalisation have been pending with the civic body.

There is also trouble with transport utility. The urban development ministry had sanctioned 650 buses (500 for Pune and 150 for Pimpri-Chinchwad), but differences have cropped up between both civic bodies and the purchase has been affected .

"We are putting maximum efforts to ensure that all JNNURM reforms are completed within the deadline. No major project in Pune will get affected because of the non-execution of reforms," said municipal commissioner Mahesh Zagade.

World8115

December 15th, 2010, 12:18 PM

Source (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Metro-still-a-non-starter-as-state-dithers-on-proposal/725006/), Article (http://epaper.indianexpress.com/IE/IEH/2010/12/15/ArticleHtmls/15_12_2010_582_011.shtml)

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/7706/15122010582011.jpg

devendra1

December 15th, 2010, 10:34 PM

Pune Metro has became a laughing stock

Bombay2Calcutta

December 22nd, 2010, 09:13 PM

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/leaders-urge-chavan-to-expedite-development-work/726302/
Leaders urge Chavan to expedite development work

Leaders of various political parties on Friday met Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan with various demands related to development work in the city and wrong practices being implemented in the civic body.

A delegation of city Congress led by party leader Abhay Chhajed urged the CM to give priority to pending proposals of the development projects for the city.

The proposal of Metro rail, development plan and setting up of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) are awaiting the nod of the state government.

The delegation was assured that a meeting would be held on the issues related to the city by the beginning of next year.

BJP leader Sandeep Khardekar pointed out that the civic body was spending a large amount of money for sponsoring cultural programmes in the city.

“Chavan has accepted the demand of setting guidelines for the civic body to fund cultural functions,” said Khardekar.

World8115

January 17th, 2011, 02:06 PM

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Zagade-is-certain-about-metros-takeoff/articleshow/7294129.cms)
There is some good news on the metro front. Municipal commissioner Mahesh Zagade on Friday said that the project was in 'positive' mode and the state government is expected to approve the project soon.

Zagade, who presented the annual draft budget for 2011-12 on Friday, said," We hope that the metro project progresses this year. The project is in positive mode with the state government. Electricity-based transport is the need of hour for Pune city and an elevated metro has been a successful model across the world."

The Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) general body has resolved to begin construction of the metro on the proposed 14.925 km corridor from Vanaz to Ramwadi. The project will cost Rs 2,281 (including taxes). The civic body plans to contribute 10 per cent, get 40 per cent from the state and Centre and the rest from private players. The proposal is pending with the state government and for further processing with the central government.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had recommended that its model for a metro railway be incorporated in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The DMRC had also suggested that a company be formed to run the project. It was decided by the state government last year that a high-powered committee led by chief secretary will look into the project.

"This year the PMC will start the process to introduce monorail on DBOOT model. The civic build-operate- transfer committee has already approved the proposal to seek expression of interest for the monorail," said Zagade.

However, the civic body does not expect any provisions for the metro or monorail projects in the state budget. "We look forward to getting state and central assistance once the projects get started, " said Zagade.

"The city also needs good public transport on the roads since the city's population is more than 42 lakh. Efforts are being made to strengthen the PMPML and more buses will be on the road in the next few years," said Zagade.

The state government has already endorsed the civic body's stand to build the 14.925-km second corridor of the metro railway from Vanaz on Paud road to Ramwadi on Ahmednagar road without waiting for the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation's go-ahead.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 15th, 2011, 12:13 AM

Review metro rail proposal: Parisar

PUNE: A study by a city-based environmental group has recommended that an independent expert team must first review the reports to check the validity of the metro rail project.

The study conducted by Parisar, which has been working for sustainable transport, states that if the review broadly agrees with the findings of the reports, then the city must go in for the metro-rail system, in a transparent and accountable manner. However, if the review finds any flaws in the projection, Parisar recommended that fresh projections using a transparent and well-defined method should be made.

Releasing the report on Monday, Parisar's programme director Ashok Sreenivas said that the available evidence presents a weak case for a metro in Pune. "The current proposal accepted by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has serious shortcomings. Hence, Parisar believes that the current proposal must be rejected. Any proposal for metro rail must be approved only after a thorough analysis of its benefits and costs," he said.

Sreenivas stated that Parisar has completed two detailed studies on the metro rail proposal. The first analysis was based on the data of three reports - the detailed project report (DPR) by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, the city's Comprehensive Mobility Plan and the traffic demand analysis for Pune's DPR prepared by Mott McDonald. The three reports had projected the traffic demand of the Pune metropolitan area over the next 25 years.

The second study analysed the decision process leading to the approval of the proposal, as well as the socio economic benefits claimed for the metro rail. Parisar stated that proposed metro rail has a negative socio-economic net present value in all scenarios. Demanding that the state government and the central government should critically review the detailed project report for Pune's metro rail, Parisar stated that even if the city requires a metro rail, the things that need to be done first include strengthening the bus system, modes of walking and cycling, and integrating all the modes into a common transport system.

Read more: Review metro rail proposal: Parisar - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Review-metro-rail-proposal-Parisar/articleshow/7497844.cms#ixzz1DygqZkTP

World8115

February 17th, 2011, 03:37 PM

Pune Metro proposal faulty: Parisar

Source (http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_pune-metro-proposal-faulty-parisar_1509130)
City-based NGO Parisar Urban Transport Group has questioned the decision-making process behind the approval of Pune’s metro rail project by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). It has also raised issues regarding the authenticity of the secondary data that formed the skeleton of the proposal.

Parisar has drawn the conclusion based on its two recent studies on the project, which points out many shortcomings in the proposal accepted by the civic body.

The first study was a preliminary analysis of whether Pune needs a metro rail system. The second study analysed in detail the decision-making processes in approving Pune’s metro rail proposal as well as the detailed project report (DPR) of the metro rail prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

Parisar programme director, Ashok Sreenivas, said it took three months to complete the study.

An IIT Bombay alumnus with a doctorate in computer science, Sreenivas worked as a scientist for over 15 years, before moving to the social sector. Currently, he works for Parisar and Prayas Energy Group on conceptualising and executing programs for sustainable transport in Pune and across the country.

“Parisar believes that the current proposal must be rejected, and any proposal for a system such as a metro must only be approved after a thorough analysis of its benefits and costs. Until then, the PMC must focus on faster and cheaper solutions such as improving the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) and conditions for pedestrians and cyclists,” he said.

The preliminary analysis of metro rail was based on secondary data from three reports: the DPR prepared by DMRC, the city’s comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) and the traffic demand analysis for Pune’s DPR prepared by Mott McDonald.

It looked only at traffic volume data from these reports to see whether a metro rail was justified on any corridor based on a simple metric of peak hour traffic demand exceeding 20,000 in one direction.

The Parisar study states that though data from these reports suggest that a metro rail may be justified for Pune, the data itself was questionable. For example, one report states that Ganeshkhind Road already carries more than 40,000 people per direction in the peak hour, which it says is not possible.
Further, it states that it is necessary to first conduct a detailed review of the data in the three reports and improve it before any conclusion can be reached whether Pune needs a metro rail.

“The DMRC commissioned a 2008 report from IIT Bombay to project ridership along potential metro rail corridors. To do this, the institute used a ‘stated preference survey’ asking citizens for their preferred mode of public transport from among various alternatives. Therefore, the ridership figures were estimated from a deeply flawed consumer survey,” said the study.

The second Parisar study that used data obtained by the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, to reconstruct the timeline of various events that led to the approval of metro rail proposal finds that some ad hoc decisions have been made.

One of it is granting a conditional extension to the Vanaz-Ramwadi corridor to Kharadi and the airport without any studies to back it up. The PMC has made some misleading statements in this regard, such as claiming that the metro was justified by the CMP, though the metro DPR was commissioned before the CMP.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 17th, 2011, 03:40 PM

^^ Why there is so much oppsition to the metro in Pune? I wonder when it will see the light.

World8115

February 17th, 2011, 03:43 PM

Its the same thing since 2-3 years. :ohno: Things will expedite when Central Gov approval is given

Bombay2Calcutta

February 18th, 2011, 12:49 AM

State okays metro rail project for city

PUNE: The state government on Thursday approved the Pune metro rail project and said it would make a budgetary provision for the 14.9-km second corridor from Vanaz on Paud road to Ramwadi on Pune-Ahmednagar road. The proposal would be forwarded to the central government for a final approval within 15 days.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan made this announcement in Mumbai at a meeting with elected representatives from Pune.

"The chief minister said the state government fully supports the project. The government will make a provision for the project in the budget to be presented in March," said NCP leader Nilesh Nikam.

Congress leader Aba Bagul said the metro project will cost Rs 2,281 crore. The Pune Municipal Corporation will contribute 10 per cent towards the project, get 40 per cent from the state and the Centre and source the remaining amount from private players.

"The MLAs and party leaders also discussed the option of an underground metro, but that would prove to be a more expensive affair," said Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe.

A high-powered committee of the state government will look into the project, which will be implemented through a special purpose vehicle (SPV).

Read more: State okays metro rail project for city - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/State-okays-metro-rail-project-for-city/articleshow/7518903.cms#ixzz1EGNTCWp7

World8115

February 18th, 2011, 04:12 PM

Metro project, devp authority on priority list: Chavan to MLAs

Source (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/metro-project-devp-authority-on-priority-list-chavan-to-mlas/751691)
Speeding up the implementation of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) and the metro proposal for Pune are the state’s ‘among the top priorities’, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said on Thursday.

He was addressing a meeting convened by city MLAs in Mumbai. It was decided to make a budget provision for the 14.925-km second corridor for the proposed Pune metro from Vanaz to Ramwadi and forward the same to the Centre by month-end.

The meeting saw the MLAs discuss a number of projects and proposals related to the city such as the proposed Pune metro rail project, ring road, city's Development Plan and the inclusion of new villages into the Pune Municipal Corporation, the CM was keen to speed up the metro proposal as well as the PMRDA, said MLA Chandrakant Mokate who attended the two hour long meeting.

The CM in his interaction said that the state government fully supports the project and by end of the month the proposal will be forwarded to the central government for its approval while the state government would make budgetary provisions. The PMC standing committee had decided to build the metro railway on the said corridor wherein the estimate cost of the project was slated to be Rs 2,281 crore wherein the civic body will contribute 10 per cent and get 40 per cent from the state and centre and source the rest from private parties. Mokate said that the CM was keen to find out the hurdles which were delaying the implementation of the PMRDA as well as has sought details on the delay. The chief minister has also asked the PMC to present details of the ring road to the state government and has instructed the PMC to ensure that garbage generated in the city is processed in the city limits. However there was no progress on the issue of BDP. The CM has asked the PMC to present the old DP for the old city before May 31.

Vinayak Nimhan (Congress), Bapu Pathare (NCP), Mahadeo Babar and Chandrakant Mokate (Shiv Sena), Girish Bapat and Madhuri Misal(BJP), Ramesh Wanjale and three MLCs including Mohan Joshi, Dipti Chaudhary (Congress), Neelam Gorhe (Shiv Sena) and Anil Bhosale (NCP) attended the meet.

World8115

February 18th, 2011, 04:13 PM

Prithviraj Chavan okays metro plan for Pune

Source (http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_prithviraj-chavan-okays-metro-plan-for-pune_1509603)
Many crucial decisions relating to Pune were taken at a meeting chaired by chief minister (CM) Prithviraj Chavan in Mumbai on Thursday. MLC Mohan Joshi had requested the CM to meet elected representatives to discuss the issues.

The state government agreed to approve the proposed metro railway project in the city and to forward the proposal by February 28 to the central government for approval. The project will be completed without private partnership.

It also agreed to form the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA) soon.

Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, cooperatives minister Harshawardhan Patil, Pune mayor Mohansingh Rajpal, MPs Prakash Javadekar, Shivajirao Adhalrao and Supriya Sule; MLCs Ulhas Pawar, Mohan Joshi, Neelam Gorhe and Anil Bhosale; and MLAs Ramesh Bagwe, Girish Bapat, Bapu Pathare, Madhuri Misal, Chandrakant Mokate, Mahadeo Babar and Ramesh Wanjale attended the meeting.

Leader of house in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Nilesh Nikam, opposition leader Aba Bagul, standing committee chairman Arvind Shinde and president of the city unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Vandana Chavan were also present.

The leaders, after attending the meeting, said a decision was taken to approve the proposed metro project on the Warje-Ramwadi route, approved by the PMC last year, and forwarded to the stategovernment. The plan would be sent to the Centre for ratification.

Pawar, who holds the portfolio of finance in the state cabinet, assured to make budgetary provision for the Rs2,600-crore project, it was told. The state and Union governments will share 20% each, while the PMC will have to shoulder 10% of the cost. The remaining would have to be raised through loans.

On the proposed biodiversity park (BDP) in the development plan (DP) of 23 merged villages in the PMC, there were some differences of opinion on allowing construction. Chavan agreed to soon find a viable solution. It was learnt that Pawar insisted on taking a decision on the BDP at the earliest.

It was decided at the meeting that the PMC should prepare a project for sewage water treatment in Pune. With the entire sewage water in the city not treated by the PMC, there is a requirement of Rs511 crore for 100% sewage water treatment. The state government would make efforts to get 70% funding for the project from the Centre, while the PMC would be required to pay 30% of the cost.

World8115

February 18th, 2011, 04:18 PM

Good thing it is not PPP like Mumbai Metro

Bombay2Calcutta

February 18th, 2011, 04:36 PM

^^ Good to see that it is moving ahead despite all the roadblocks.

World8115

February 18th, 2011, 04:43 PM

It was decided to make a budget provision for the 14.925-km second corridor for the proposed Pune metro from Vanaz to Ramwadi and forward the same to the Centre by month-end.
The PMC standing committee had decided to build the metro railway on the said corridor wherein the estimate cost of the project was slated to be Rs 2,281 crore wherein the civic body will contribute 10 per cent and get 40 per cent from the state and centre and source the rest from private parties.
That comes to 153 crore/km :cheers:

Bombay2Calcutta

February 18th, 2011, 05:22 PM

BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/rs-17935-cr-pune-metro-railsimilar-lines-to-dmrc-report/64262/on)
Rs 17,935 cr Pune Metro Rail on similar lines to DMRC: Report

BS Reporter / Pune June 10, 2009, 14:11 IST

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has proposed the "company formation" method for the upcoming Rs 17,935 crore metro rail project in Pune, ruling out the possibility of the public private partnership (PPP) or the build-operate-transfer (BOT) models for implementation.

The metro rail project in Delhi has been executed by a company DMRC, which raised funds from the government and loans. The metro rail projects in Mumbai and Hyderabad have been initiated on the PPP model. While the Mumbai project has so far proved to be successful, the project in Hyderabad is still in its infant stage.

DMRC chief E Sreedharan, in a meeting with the elected members of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), said, "The company formation method will help the project move faster against BOT or PPP models."

A report submitted by the DMRC says, the government should form a special purpose vehicle (SPV) named Pune Metro Rail Corporation (PMRC) under the Company Act, 1956. The formed SPV should have representatives of the state and central governments as its directors.

The report suggests, the state and the central governments would have 40 per cent equity stake in this company while the remaining funds could be raised from property development, loans and borrowings from market.

The report states, the PMRC can seek relaxation in value added tax, electricity and other taxes from the state government.

The report also suggests a first route of 16.58 kilometre length that beings from neighbouring Chinchwad town and runs along Pimpri, Shivajinagar up to Swargate. The second route has a proposed length of 14.92 kilometre and spans over Paud road, Deccan Gymkahana, Shivajinagar, Bundgarden, Yerawada up to Kalyani Nagar.

Apart from a short underground patch, the corridors would be formed on an elevated surface, the report suggests. The deadline to complete the first route is prescribed as year 2014.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 18th, 2011, 05:26 PM

FE (http://www.financialexpress.com/news/dmrc-to-fullfil-punes-metro-rail-dream/473889/0)
DMRC to fullfil Pune’s metro rail dream

If everything moves as planned, then Pune could have a new Metro transport system by 2014 and end the woes of citizens’ and perk up the city’s pitiable public transport infrastructure. Pune could join Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai on the Metro Rail map soon with the proposed Rs 9,500 crore Pune Metro rail project.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), consultants to the project, has presented the detailed project report for the project to the Pune Municipal Corporation. E Sreedharan, MD of DMRC, was in Pune on Tuesday to give a detailed presentation on the proposed Pune Metro to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

Sreedharan urged the Pune civic body to invest in the project on its own and raise funds through debt for the project. DMRC has recommended floating of SPV vested with adequate powers for the Pune Metro project. For funding the project, DMRC has suggested that the model used by DMRC in Delhi was best suited for Pune and PPP and BOT would not work here. He said equity from central government and the Maharashtra state government contribution 20 % to the Metro. A 40% grant from the government would bring in Rs 3,814 crore, 33% of the cost would be funded through loans of Rs 3,118 crore and remaining could come from the property development along the route.

The Asian Development Bank and agencies in Japan could be tapped for funding debt. Sreedharan also suggested additional revenue generation measures—an increase in the FSI along the Metro corridor, a ‘Metro Cess’ on fuel sold in the city, entry tax for CVs, additional levy on new vehicle registration.

The first 31 km phase would have two corridors –a 16.58 km distance between Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation and Swargate and 14.92 km between Vanaz and Ramvadi. About 26 kms would be on elevated platform and six of the 30 stations would be underground. The second phase would be for 44 kms with four corridors. The government would need to acquire 44.75 hectares for the project. Sreedharan has suggested Pune opt for the standard gauge instead of the broad gauge.

Now the proposal has to be cleared by the PMC and then submitted to the state and union government for approvals.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 18th, 2011, 05:30 PM

BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/maha-govt-plans-spv-for-pune-metro/14/28/354537/)
Maha govt plans SPV for Pune metro

BS Reporter / Pune April 09, 2009, 1:40 IST

The Maharashtra government is planning to set up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to raise funds for the upcoming metro railway project worth Rs 9,534 crore in Pune city. According to a detailed project report (DPR) prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the city needs two metro rail routes of 31.5 km length, which would be operational by year 2014.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had roped in DMRC to prepare a report and also suggest the options available to raise funds. Accordingly, DMRC has suggested PMC and the state government to follow public-private partnership model for this project and reduce costs by offering higher floor space index (FSI) to the concerned developer.

“The costs for the initial project is definitely very heavy and an SPV is needed to raise funds. Our department has already consulted this aspect with the PMC administration. We expect the PMC to prepare a final proposal and forward it to the government for a final call,” a top official from urban development department of government of Maharashtra told Business Standard.

The DPR suggests a first route of 16.58 km length that beings from neighbouring Chinchwad town and runs along Pimpri, Shivajinagar up to Swargate at a price of Rs 4,930 crore. The second route has a proposed length of 14.92 km and spans over Paud road, Deccan Gymkhana, Shivajinagar, Bundgarden, Yerawada up to Kalyani Nagar at a price of Rs 2,217 crore. Apart from a short underground patch, the corridors would be formed on elevated surface, the DPR says. Other aspects such as development of metro rail hub and taxes would add up to Rs 9,534 crore.

The project is expected to require 110 acres of land out of which, approximately 31 acres is in private custody. “We are expecting speedy approvals to this project to ensure, the 2014 deadline is met

World8115

February 18th, 2011, 05:40 PM

Nice updates :cheers:

adam_india

February 19th, 2011, 07:57 AM

Is it going to be Vanaz-Ramwadi or Warje-Ramwadi? Two articles stating two different things. As far as I know, it was Vanaz, but am not sure...Can anyone confirm?

Bombay2Calcutta

February 19th, 2011, 09:49 PM

^^ It is going to be Vanaz-Ramwadi.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 19th, 2011, 09:50 PM

Related Report

Source (http://expressbuzz.com/nation/pune-to-get-metro-rail/249410.html)
Pune to get metro rail

MUMBAI: Pune’s development dreams have taken wings. The Maharashtra Government has decided to forward a proposal soon to the Central Government, seeking sanction for a metro rail in the industrial city of Pune.

The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of elected represetatives chaired by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan in Mumbai on Thursday.

The indication is that the project with an estimated cost of `2,220 crore will be completed without private partnership. The State Government has also plans to make substantial budgetary provision for the 14.9-km second corridor from Vanaz on Paud Road Station to Ramwadi on Pune-Ahmednagar Road Station.

‘’A high-power committee of the state government will look into the project, which will be implemented through a special purpose vehicle (SPV),’’ Ulhas Pawar, MLC from Pune and State Congress spokesman, told Express on Friday.

The meeting also agreed to form the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA) soon.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Cooperatives Minister Harshawardhan Patil, Pune Mayor Mohansingh Rajpal, MPs Prakash Javadekar, Shivajirao Adhalrao and Supriya Sule attended the high-level meeting.

aam admi

February 19th, 2011, 11:05 PM

Given that L&T has given atractive offer to build Hyderabad metro, it will be a good idea to go for PPP model in Pune as well. It will save taxpayers money. We should not be unduly bothered about the so called mumbai metro failure. DMRC is trying to creat monopoly in this sector which is not good. IR is in the situation due to this monopolistic position. We should also be aware of the fact that all the XMRC are having similar beurocratic set up as in IR.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 20th, 2011, 05:41 PM

IE (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/metro-project-devp-authority-on-priority-list-chavan-to-mlas/751691/0)
Metro project, devp authority on priority list: Chavan to MLAs

Speeding up the implementation of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) and the metro proposal for Pune are the state’s ‘among the top priorities’, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said on Thursday.

He was addressing a meeting convened by city MLAs in Mumbai. It was decided to make a budget provision for the 14.925-km second corridor for the proposed Pune metro from Vanaz to Ramwadi and forward the same to the Centre by month-end.

The meeting saw the MLAs discuss a number of projects and proposals related to the city such as the proposed Pune metro rail project, ring road, city's Development Plan and the inclusion of new villages into the Pune Municipal Corporation, the CM was keen to speed up the metro proposal as well as the PMRDA, said MLA Chandrakant Mokate who attended the two hour long meeting.

The CM in his interaction said that the state government fully supports the project and by end of the month the proposal will be forwarded to the central government for its approval while the state government would make budgetary provisions. The PMC standing committee had decided to build the metro railway on the said corridor wherein the estimate cost of the project was slated to be Rs 2,281 crore wherein the civic body will contribute 10 per cent and get 40 per cent from the state and centre and source the rest from private parties.

World8115

February 20th, 2011, 08:00 PM

^^ Already posted :)

World8115

February 21st, 2011, 12:25 PM

'Metro won't save you too much time'

Source (http://www.mid-day.com/news/2011/feb/210211-PMC-Metro-railway-Pune.htm)

Independent study by NGO says Metro rail will save only 11 minutes of travel time in most cases, not 45 minutes as claimed in project report

The proposal for a Metro rail in the city has finally got the state government nod, but it is no time to exult yet, says an NGO. According to an independent study by the NGO Parisar, the Metro project will not truncate travel time for commuters as claimed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

The DMRC is the consultant to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for the project and has chalked out various routes for the Metro.

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by the DMRC claims each trip of the Metro will cut 45 minutes of travel time. This also includes time saved in walking and the waiting time.

Parisar, using statistics from certain studies conducted by the DMRC, maintains not more than 11 minutes of travelling time would be saved, for 75 per cent of journeys.

According to the DPR, the peak hour road speed in the city is about 20-25 kmph and the proposed metro rail's speed is 33 kmph.

"At least 75 per cent of the journeys are less than 9 km. We assumed an average speed of 20 kmph for other modes of transport. This means travelling by other modes would take maximum 27 minutes for 75 per cent of the journeys and approximately 16 minutes by the Metro. Thus the time saved is only 11 minutes," said Ashok Sreenivas, the Parisar programme director.

Sreenivas said other parts of the DPR, such as the report on fuel saving, was also flawed and had overlooked many important factors.

"What is important is that they haven't yet explained to us the methods that they have used to calculate the above estimates. So, we cannot comment on their reliability," said Sreenivas.

A letter demanding the methods used was sent to the DMRC in October, but a reply is still awaited.

The Metro was approved by the state government on February 18, six months after the DPR was submitted, and has now been forwarded to the central government for approval. The state and the central governments will each bear 20 per cent of the project cost and the PMC 10 per cent. The remaining 50 per cent will have to be raised externally.

Metro routes

Phase i
Line 1: From Pimpri-Chinchwad to Swargate (via Shivajinagar),
16.5 km (the route will be
underground from Range Hills station)
Line 2: Vanaz to Ramwadi (via Deccan Gymkhana-Yerawada), 14.9 km (elevated)

Phase ii
This will be an extension of the first phase:
> ASI to Hinjewadi (via Aundh),
18 km (elevated)
> New line from Vishrantwadi to Swargate, 13 km (underground)
> Extension of lines from Chinchwad to Nigdi and Swargate to Katraj, 11.5 km
(elevated)
> Extension of lines from Aundh to Hinjewadi and Kalyani Nagar to Kharadi Naka, 13 km
(elevated)
> Extension of line from Swargate to Hadapsar, 9 km (elevated)

Phase iii
Will contain only one line:
> Agriculture College-Warje via JM Road and Karve Road, 9 km (elevated)

Bombay2Calcutta

February 22nd, 2011, 03:29 AM

^^ How much qualified is this independent NGO Parisar ?

World8115

February 22nd, 2011, 05:14 AM

Source (http://epaper.indianexpress.com/IE/IEH/2011/02/22/ArticleHtmls/22_02_2011_583_028.shtml)
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/5166/22022011583028.jpg

cncity

March 2nd, 2011, 03:21 PM

PUNE: This is one civic project the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)-Congress combine wants to see before the civic elections in February 2012. With all political parties softening their stand on the metro project for the city, the ruling parties feel it is the right time to push the project.

The state government approved the project last week and quite unexpectedly, the BJP-Shiv Sena, which had opposed the metro, withheld any sign of dissent.

In June 2010, the general body (GB) of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) finally gave the green signal to the proposal to build a 14.925-km corridor of the Pune metro railway from Vanaz (Paud road) to Ramwadi (Ahmednagar road).

The NCP, Congress and the BJP had backed the proposal, while members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena had opposed the proposal. The Shiv Sena, which has 21 members in the House of 144 had staged a walkout before the proposal was put to vote.

The shift in Sena's stand came after chief minister Prithviraj Chavan's meeting last week. Shiv Sena MLC Neelan Gorhe, who attended the meeting, said the Sena had raised the underground metro point with the state government. But, after deliberations it was concluded that going underground was expensive. "Finally the state government has agreed to the metro proposal," said Gorhe.

A divided city BJP unit appears least interested in the developments. The party which now has two factions has failed to elect a president for the last few months. "We must admit that as members of the opposition, the BJP has failed in Pune. The party's city leadership in recent times has acted in favor of the NCP leadership and the BJP's rank and file has been left in the lurch," said a senior BJP leader. He added that the NCP would exploit this situation for electoral gains.

Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio in the state cabinet, has promised to make a budget provision for the metro. Standing committee chairman Arvind Shinde on Tuesday made a Rs 21-crore provision for the metro.

"The project has taken too long to begin. With civic elections approaching we would like to lay the foundation stone of the project as soon as possible. There should be some visible work on the ground before elections that would give mileage to the NCP. With the possibility of Congress and NCP parting ways for the elections, the NCP would make sure that it takes credit for the metro as the Congress did in the Bus Rapid Transit System case," said a senior NCP leader. The proposal would be forwarded to the central government for final approval within 15 days.

However, a prominent activist who has been working to generate awareness about the metro said that the government should not do it in a hurry and haphazardly. "Pune needs a good public transport system. But the metro in its present form is haphazard and disastrous for public good. Despite bringing the flaws of the present proposal to the notice of the administration and the corporators, the proposal has been hurriedly passed. Corporators had not even seen the Detailed Project Report (DPR) when they approved the proposal," the member said.

Pune Metro Jagruti Abhiyaan, Pune Technical Committee, Janwani, Railway Technical Experts Group and Professional Party of India (PPI) have submitted a representation to the chief minister recently demanding formation of a government-appointed committee of independent experts and public hearing by the state government officials to study the 'haphazardly and disastrously' planned Pune Metro Project.

The state government should obtain environmental clearance from the central government before going ahead with the proposed project and techno-economic merits and feasibility of underground broad gauge vs elevated standard gauge in terms of costs per unit carrying capacity, should be addressed by the committee. The NGOs have also demanded that as a part of the process of environmental clearance, a public hearing should be held in all the 14 wards to ensure transparency of the project

"A metro is a very costly project and the decision will impact the city for 100 years and more. Ajit Pawar, who holds the portfolio of finance in the state cabinet, assured to make budgetary provision for the Rs 2,600 crore project, as per media reports. The state and Union governments will share 20% each, while the PMC will have to shoulder 10% of the cost. The remaining would have to be raised through loans. This means that the government of Maharashtra will have to foot the bill of Rs 520 crore. Given that the current delicate financial state of Maharashtra, it should seriously consider cheaper alternatives which are doable in Pune. Also, we should know what will happen if there is cost escalation. Will state and Centre each give 20% of escalated cost or will all that have to be borne by PMC?" the groups said in their letter to the chief minister.

Read more: Metro plan picks up speed, but may have to hit the brakes - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Metro-plan-picks-up-speed-but-may-have-to-hit-the-brakes/articleshow/7606277.cms#ixzz1FS5GUhqt

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Metro-plan-picks-up-speed-but-may-have-to-hit-the-brakes/articleshow/7606277.cms

PCMC allocates Rs10 crore for metro rail project in Pune

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) standing committee has made a provision of Rs10 crore for its metro rail project for the next financial year. It also made a provision to hand over Rs5 crore to Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) for the next fiscal.

The standing committee chairman, Prashant Shitole, told reporters on Monday that the state government had instructed the civic body to make the provision for the proposed metro project during a recent meeting.

Since there was no provision for PMPML in the draft budget, the standing committee made the provision.

According to Shitole, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan agreed that the PCMC will bear the cost of metro routes which pass through its
jurisdiction.

“The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) made a budgetary provision in its 2011-12 budget. Hence, the PCMC also did the same,’’ he added.

Shitole said the standing committee has made an addition Rs15 crore to the draft budget of Rs1,516.19 crore. “Nearly 60 suggestions were made by the corporators and accordingly, the standing committee members cleared these suggestions. Now, the budget will be presented in a general body meeting for approval,’’ he added.

The standing committee also made a provision of Rs5 lakh for organising a national-level marathon in Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Shitole claimed the standing committee had held discussions on the draft budget of 2011-12 for eight consecutive days.

This is the first time that discussions were held for such a long period by the standing committee

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_pcmc-allocates-rs10-crore-for-metro-rail-project-in-pune_1514509

FrankPanaMan

March 3rd, 2011, 01:27 AM

Abhishek901

March 4th, 2011, 07:28 PM

Nice updates :cheers:

These were not updates. B2C posted articles from 2009. Even I got confused and thought that the projects is now heading somewhere.

punekar

March 7th, 2011, 11:41 AM

It sucks when people/Political /NGO's just try to degrade and doubt the benefits of a metro system in urban areas and that too of the size of Pune with over 5 Million population...:ohno:

Time to get real and get into action towards building such modern, efficient, affordable, comfortable and important mode of transport which the public really deserves and is the need of the hour..Other cities have shown the way

Do they want people to wait till 2030, when Pune's population will hit 10 Million and and it'l cost 5 times more to build...then they will bite the bullet..:bash:

We need a mass movement on the streets to highlight the chaos on Pune roads. Time to get inspired by the Egyptian revolution and think of something big. The way this project is going, I do not see any Metro running in Pune till the year 2020. Look at the BRT mess. At least that could be cleaned up and made more efficient. What a shame for an IT city.

gtmashok

March 8th, 2011, 10:18 AM

We need a mass movement on the streets to highlight the chaos on Pune roads. Time to get inspired by the Egyptian revolution and think of something big. The way this project is going, I do not see any Metro running in Pune till the year 2020. Look at the BRT mess. At least that could be cleaned up and made more efficient. What a shame for an IT city.

I notice that in India, people against any infrastructure project (for good or bad reasons, that's up to us to decide) are better organized than supporters of those projects, whom I am sure are the silent majority. I agree, there needs to be way to organize and channelize this support base. :yes:

World8115

March 10th, 2011, 02:47 PM

Private hands can build this city, say experts

Source (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-09/pune/28671898_1_ppp-model-pune-metro-mumbai-metro)
Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee's thrust on the public-private partnership (PPP) model for infrastructure development could change the face of Pune, experts felt.

Municipal commissioner Mahesh Zagade said private players could help create a world-class infrastructure for the city. "The PPP model can become the backbone of the city's development. Already, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has initiated infrastructure projects on PPP and BOT models. Other models like transfer of development rights and deferred payment create infrastructure for the city," said Zagade.

Mukherjee's policy can be used by the Centre and state governments to improve water supply, sewage treatment, public sanitation, traffic and road infrastructure and public transport.

Zagade, while presenting the draft annual civic budget of Rs 2,984.57 crore for 2011-2012, had said that the city needed an annual budget of Rs 9,828 crore.

"Budgetary resources and allocations have their own limitations. Hence, private funds should come for public infrastructure development. The PPP model will be an integral part of the civic infrastructure planning and the PMC has already begun the process," said Zagade.

Credai president Satish Magar said private players could build roads, water supply networks and sewage treatment plants. "However, the Centre must have a comprehensive policy on the PPP model for private players to work on."

Town-planning expert Ramchandra Gohad said the emphasis on public-private participation was necessary. "It will help cities like Pune get better infrastructure."

Mhada (Pune region) president Ankush Kakade said such a participation would help develop homes for the poor.

Metro waits for funds

The centre has proposed to take up Delhi Metro's phase-III and Mumbai Metro's line III and financial assistance for speedy implementation of projects in Bangalore, Kolkata and Chennai will be provided. The Pune Metro project proposal is with the state government which is likely to make a budgetary provision this year.

"The state government will forward the Pune metro proposal to the Centre and we hope that it will get central funds," said a state government official. Meanwhile, the civic administration plans to introduce more buses on road after the BRTS phase- I is implemented.

World8115

April 4th, 2011, 06:01 PM

No budget provision, but metro on

Source (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-01/pune/29374806_1_pune-metro-vanaz-metro-project)
Although the Pune metro project finds no mention in the Union and the state budget, Pune Municipal commissioner Mahesh Zagade on Wednesday said that the metro proposal has received a positive' response at the state and central level. He said that he is hopeful that the state will make a supplementary provision for the project in due course.

Pune guardian minister and finance minister Ajit Pawar, who presented the annual state budget on Wednesday, had earlier promised to make a budgetary provision for the metro, but did not kept keep his promise.

"The state can make supplementary provision for the metro project and we hope that project could take off soon," Zagade told reporters.

In June 2010, the general body (GB) of the PMC gave the green signal to the proposal to build a 14.925-km corridor of the Pune metro railway from Vanaz (Paud road) to Ramwadi (Ahmednagar road).

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had recommended that its model for the metro railway be incorporated in both Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The DMRC had also suggested that a company be formed to run the project. It has suggested execution of the project on two corridors.

"A metro is one of the strongest option. Growing cities like Pune will have to reduce oil-based transport which will become more and more costly. Along with a metro, a monorail and other public transport should be tried in Pune. This is the only way Pune can reduce the use of private vehicles," said Zagade.

NCP corporator and leader of the house in the PMC Nilesh Nikam said that the state government can make a provision for the metro at any time. "The proposal is in positive mode and we hope that the state government approves it soon and forwards it to the central government," he said.

Indtrans

April 20th, 2011, 01:12 PM

The metro project in Pune should be executed by some state goverment authority. There is a proposal of PMRDA for Pune same as MMRDA in Mumbai.

If PMC is going to handle this project then it will take at least 20 years to complete 10 kms route. There are even no considerations of PCMC area and Hinjewadi IT park in the plan.

State goverment should take initiative in this project and should not give it to PMC.

lucky_123

April 20th, 2011, 02:34 PM

Due to lackluster attitude of govt. agencies I do not expect pune metro to be a reality anytime before 2020.

vinblr

April 20th, 2011, 02:47 PM

devendra1

April 21st, 2011, 11:09 AM

Though i agree with Cities like Pune having Metro, i feel currently Central Govt priority of funds to Metro should be for cities like Mumbai, Bangalore & Chennai whose work are in progress..

For E.g In state of Maharashtra local Govt need act quickly to speed up Mumbai Metro's work.

Whereas to Metro in my city Bangalore, i heard Central Govt still need to contribute in tune of 1000+ Crores though work has started for all reaches....
Yes but after those cities Hydrabad, Pune and Ahmadabad are the cities that should get the fund. But the smaller cities like Jaipur and Lucknow are moving ahead with Metro. Heck the metro is even planned in much smaller cities like Kochi and Bhopal.

punekar

April 21st, 2011, 11:53 AM

Yes but after those cities Hydrabad, Pune and Ahmadabad are the cities that should get the fund. But the smaller cities like Jaipur and Lucknow are moving ahead with Metro. Heck the metro is even planned in much smaller cities like Kochi and Bhopal.

Till the time Pune becomes a capital city of a state (carved out of Maharashtra), you can forget about any metro. Its all gas, gas, gas. Right now, priority is get Mumbai in shape. Pune traffic can go to hell. :bash:

adam_india

April 21st, 2011, 04:54 PM

punekar

April 22nd, 2011, 01:07 PM

What's actually holding it up? After all the approvals at the city and state level, is it some financial issue. I am optimistic about the work being started in say first quarter 2012...with state elections due in 2 years time...I think they will try to rush things through in a years time....at least for the votes...

Many reasons for the hold-up

1. No money
2. No agreement on the alignment
3. No land for a Metro depot
4. Many citizen groups against it

Probably vested interests from netas who own car dealerships are also ensuring this project never takes off.

ericos87

April 22nd, 2011, 01:48 PM

Many reasons for the hold-up

Probably vested interests from netas who own car dealerships are also ensuring this project never takes off.

Why are you always blaming the netas? You are simply assuming without anything to back up your statement.

Bombay2Calcutta

June 12th, 2011, 05:51 PM

Metro rail from Chakan to Moshi on cards: Band
TNN (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-01/pune/29607882_1_chakan-airport-metro-rail-rajgurunagar)Jun 1, 2011, 03.46am IST

PUNE: A proposal for a metro rail project linking Chakan to Moshi is in the offing.

Pune divisional commissioner Dilip Band said here on Tuesday that the metro rail between the proposed international airport at Rajgurunagar near Chakan and the proposed International Convention and Exhibition Centre at Moshi would take shape soon. He was speaking at the launch of a touch-screen facility of the Pimpri Chinchwad New Township Development Authority (PCNTDA), whereby land documents are being digitised and preserved under the Shashwat project.

The metro project would require a different type of funding, Band said, adding that the Pimpri Chinchwad township will get more importance than Pune after the development of the Chakan airport and the international convention centre at Moshi. Band, who is also chairman of the PCNTDA, said that in a few years, the PCNTDA will be transformed into the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority.

adam_india

June 18th, 2011, 06:08 AM

Civic body may push for metro in JNNURM phase II

Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is likely to seek central government funds for implementation of the ambitious metro railway project under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) phase II.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, municipal commissioner Mahesh Pathak said, “The central government has started the process to implement phase II of the JNNURM. In phase II, the PMC’s focus will mainly be on transport and housing infrastructure as well as completion of the storm water drain network (which remains incomplete in phase I). As part of the transport projects, we are planning to seek funds for the metro rail.”
In June 2010, the PMC general body had approved the proposal to build a 14.925-km corridor of the Pune metro railway from Vanaz (Paud road) to Ramwadi (Ahmednagar road). “The metro project is with the state government for approval. The PMC has sought suggestions on ‘strategic’ issues from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation for speedy implementation of the project. We need answers on strategic issues like the financial model, funding, private partnership, etc. Since Pune is the first non metropolis in India to submit a proposal for a metro railway, we also need a consultant to advice us,” he added.

source: TOI (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIPU/2011/06/18&PageLabel=9&EntityId=Ar00901&ViewMode=HTML)

I wonder what they are waiting for, is it bureaucratic resistance to the project, financial issues or just that the planning is very slow?

Cosmicbliss

June 19th, 2011, 04:04 PM

It's simple. In any state, only one city should get a Metrorail system. In most other states, the tier 2 city is so small that there is no question a metro there. In AP Vizag cant get a metro rail nor can Mysore or Coimbatore or Trivandrum or Surat or even Kanpur. There's no question of building a metro in Jodhpur or Bhagalpur or Durgapur. In a state only the primate city can get a metro. In MH's case, the tier 2 city Pune is itself as big as several metros and is far bigger than most state capitals. It may infact be the biggest non-state capital city. Central Government would (rightly) prefer each state having one metro even if it means cities like Pune wait longer before allowing two metros in a state. That way, regional imbalances would be addressed.

Bombay2Calcutta

June 19th, 2011, 04:17 PM

Bombay2Calcutta

June 26th, 2011, 06:48 PM

Pune Metro: PMC refers govt query on funding to DMRC

DNA Correspondent
Municipal commissioner Mahesh Pathak said on Friday that the Pune Municipal Corporation
(PMC) has approached the Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) for advice on the proposed metro railway project for Pune. The move follows after the state government raised queries regarding the project’s financial aspects. Speaking to the media, the civic chief said that while the government has given its approval to the project in principle, it wants to know how 50% funding for the project would be raised. The PMC has forwarded
the queries to consultant DMRC, which had prepared a detailed project report (DPR) of the plan, for advice on the matter. As per the original proposal, the PMC is supposed to
bear 10% of the project cost and the governments of India and Maharashtra sharing 40. The problem is related to raising the remaining 50% of the amount for the Rs2,000-crore-plus project for the track on the Vanaz to Ramwadi corridor.Options like public private partnership (PPP) or viability gap funding for raising finances have been suggested.
The PMC in 2010 had approved the proposed metro railway project on the Vanaz to Ramwadi route to be extended till the airport. The civic body had approved a proposal to provide 10% funding for the project on June 23, 2010. Since then the proposal is pending before the state government for approval, before being forwarded to the central government for final approval. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan in a meeting of MPs and MLAs from Pune on February 17, 2011 in Mumbai had assured that the project would be approved and forwarded to the Centre by February 28.

Bombay2Calcutta

June 26th, 2011, 06:50 PM

Pune metro rail plan flawed
TNN (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-24/pune/29698596_1_pune-metro-metro-system-delhi-metro-rail-corporation)Jun 24, 2011, 04.23am IST

PUNE: Reiterating various objections and concerns about the proposed metro rail project on the Vanaz-Ramwadi corridor, various citizens' organisations met municipal commissioner Mahesh Pathak on Thursday and said that the present proposal, if implemented, would prove to be a disaster for the city.

Stating that they are not against the metro project, the organisations urged the corporation to have a relook at the proposal, which, they said, is full of technical flaws. The choice of the corridor itself is wrong and that it is financially unviable, they said.

Girish Deshpande of the Professionals Party of India said that the need for creation of a forum for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (which has prepared the proposal) to answer citizen's queries has been put forth before the commissioner.

According to the organisations' representatives, Pathak observed that it is important to integrate the metro system with the comprehensive mobility plan of the city to make it more meaningful, workable and viable. In the congested areas, an underground metro system that has higher passenger carrying capacity would be preferable.

The organisations included Parisar, Pune metro railway technical experts group, Janwani, Chatushrungi temple trust and Pune metro jagruti abhiyaan.

After a public hearing at the PMC last year, former commissioner Mahesh Zagade and former standing committee chairman Arvind Shinde had promised that their suggestions and objections would be considered before the state government sanctions the proposal. But the organizations have not received any information in this regard, they said.

In a letter submitted to Pathak, the organisations said that the elevated metro on the Vanaz-Ramwadi corridor, as suggested by the DMRC, runs through densely populated areas and on congested roads. "This would mean demolition of buildings, land acquisition, rehabilitation, cutting of hundreds of trees, shifting of utilities, violation of development control rules and fire safety norms, as well as increased traffic congestion, pollution and impact on bus service,'' the letter states. Implementation of the proposal in its present form would have major environmental impact and there would be a fall in the quality of life as well as permanent disfigurement of the city, the letter adds.

Pitching for a broad-gauge metro system, the organisations said that excessive cost and low passenger carrying capacity of the standard gauge system would result in a costlier metro and even high ticket prices for the public. They have also asked whether the PMC consulted departments such the railways, MSEDCL, traffic police, environment, and town planning before taking decision about the metro proposal.

Bombay2Calcutta

June 27th, 2011, 12:19 AM

Anti-metro coalition talks with civic chief

Friday, June 24, 2011 15:24 IST The Pune Metro Jagruti Abhiyan (PMJA), along with the Pune technical committee, the railway technical committee, the Professional Party of India (PPI) and Janwani will make a detailed presentation before municipal commissioner Mahesh Pathak regarding the various lacunae in the detailed project report (DPR) of the Pune metro, prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

The decision was taken on Thursday at a meeting between Pathak and representatives of the various organisations. PMJA and the other organisations had been protesting against the alleged shortcomings in the DPR.

The first phase of the proposed DPR, which connects Vanaz to Ramwadi, was passed by the general body of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in June last. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had given the green signal for the proposal in February this year, after which the proposal has been pending with the central government.

PPI spokesperson and PMJA member, Girish Deshpande, said that the delegation discussed all the major points with the civic chief. “We stated that the present DPR is not in concurrence with the common mobility plan (CMP) and development plan (DP) of Pune,” he said.

KK Gokhale of the railway technical committee pointed out the feasibility of an underground broad gauge metro for the city, which is much cheaper than the present proposal. The delegation also asked for an independent committee

comprising PMC officials, elected representatives and citizens to scrutinise the present DPR.

“The municipal commissioner agreed that the CMP should be taken into consideration and also the underground option should be explored for both financial and technical reasons. He also said that elevated tracks be avoided in congested places,” said Vinita Deshmukh co-convenor of PMJA.

The delegation will be meeting Pathak next week to make a presentation about the various lacunae in the DPR and also to discuss the underground option.

URL of the article: http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_anti-metro-coalition-talks-with-civic-chief_1558599-all

Bombay2Calcutta

July 17th, 2011, 04:23 PM

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Citys-public-transport-projects-get-a-push/articleshow/9251808.cms)
City's public transport projects get a push

PUNE: In a major push to the city's transport projects, including the proposed metro rail, the Parliamentary Consultative Committee (PCC) on urban development has emphasised on better transport for non-metropolitan cities, with the help of the Central government.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to seek Central funds for implementation of the ambitious metro railway project under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) phase II. The Central government has started the process to implement phase II of the JNNURM.

The public transport initiatives by non-metropolitan cities, including Pune, came up for discussions in the PCC meeting held in New Delhi this week, in presence of Union minister for urban development Kamal Nath. Pune is the first non-metropolis in India to submit a proposal for a metro railway. The meeting concluded that the Central government will now focus on developing transport systems in other cities than the metros. Kamal Nath told the committee that urban transport is a priority and all steps would be taken to ensure that a robust transport system is developed in metros as well as smaller cities.

Various means of urban transportation, such as the metro, Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), buses under JNNURM and Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) were deliberated upon at the meeting.

"In June 2010, the PMC general body had approved the proposal to build a 14.925-km corridor of the Pune metro railway from Vanaz (Paud Road) to Ramwadi (Ahmednagar Road). The metro project is with the state government for approval and the PMC has sought suggestions on 'strategic' issues from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation for speedy implementation of the project. Pune would be the first beneficiary of the Central government's new approach towards transport facilities," said a senior state government officer.

Some of the members in the PCC expressed concern about not having adequate transport infrastructure in smaller towns. It was also brought to the attention of the committee that in some towns, old railway lines could be used to develop local transport.

The minister said the government is committed to developing the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) which will be a rail-based sub-urban transport system. MP Vilas Muttemwar and Danjay Dina Patil represented Maharashtra in the meeting.

World8115

August 30th, 2011, 04:05 PM

JNNURM money can be used for metro

Source: TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-28/pune/29937691_1_pune-metro-vanaz-metro-project)
The Central government has given the green signal to allocate funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) to cities planning a metro rail network.

With this, the Pune Municipal Corporation can now seek central funds for the metro project in the city.

Saugata Roy, minister of state for urban development, informed the Lok Sabha this week that as per guidelines under the Urban Infrastructure and Governance of the JNNURM, metro rail is one of the admissible components in urban transport, along with roads, highways and expressways, which is eligible for grants.

The minister's statement bolsters the PMC's recent decision to seek central funds for implementation of the ambitious project under JNNURM phase II. Municipal commissioner Mahesh Pathak had stated that in phase II, the civic body's focus will mainly be on transport and housing infrastructure, as well as completion of storm water drain network (which remains incomplete in phase I). As part of transport projects, the PMC plans to seek funds for the metro rail.

In June 2010, the PMC general body had approved the proposal to build a 14.925-km corridor of the Pune metro railway from Vanaz (Paud Road) to Ramwadi (Ahmednagar Road). The project is with the state government for approval. The PMC has sought suggestions on 'strategic' issues from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation for speedy implementation of the project.

As per the final draft submitted to the PMC by the DMRC in June 2009, the state was to approve the plan in June, while the central government was to give its consent by August. A tendering system was scheduled by October 2009, after which the actual work was to start. As per the plan, Pune is supposed to get its metro by May 30, 2014. However, things have not moved as per the plan and the state and the PMC are pointing fingers at each other.

"The government of India's department of heavy industry has constituted the National Council on Electric Mobility and National Board on Electric Mobility to expand electric mobility and manufacture of electric vehicles (including hybrids) and their components in India. For a city like Pune, which faces major traffic and transportation problems, this would prove a major help," said a senior state officer.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's final draft report stated that the Pune metro project can be completed at a cost of Rs 8,401 crore (first corridor) and Rs 9,534 crore (second corridor).

adam_india

August 30th, 2011, 04:56 PM

Look at the timeline given in this article from 2008, it makes me laugh :lol: and cry :cry: at the same time

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIPU/2008/07/18/5/Img/Ar0050006.png

source: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=pastissues2&BaseHref=TOIPU%2F2008%2F07%2F18&ViewMode=GIF&GZ=T&PageLabel=5&EntityId=Ar00500&AppName=2

devendra1

August 31st, 2011, 03:13 PM

Pune can't hold 1 crore people, says Assocham
Full article
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Pune-cant-hold-1-crore-people-says-Assocham/articleshow/9803560.cms

PUNE: The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) on Tuesday cautioned that infrastructure in Pune would be inadequate to bear the projected population of about 1 crore by 2030 as compared to 49.5 lakh at present.

It has suggested introduction of a mass transportation system to decongest roads and cope with rapid urbanisation in and around the city.

The existing transportation infrastructure in Pune, which is mainly road based, is dismal as buses and trains are acutely over-crowded and sorely lacking in comfort and convenience for commuters, the association said.

"Rapid urbanisation has fuelled the need for an effective and sustainable public transportation system in Pune following the Delhi Metro model - a perfect example of synergy between public and private sectors," the association said in its study 'Urbanising India and Mega Metro Network: Vision for the Emerging Cities of India 2030'.

Indtrans

September 10th, 2011, 09:07 PM

There are many poeple/organizations who are against the Pune Metro project in the city. Most of them have the concern about the gauge selection for the Pune Metro. In the proposal 'Standare Gauge' is suggested(which is used for Mumbai Metro, Chennai Metro, Banglore Metro, Hyderabad Metro, Kolkata EW Metro, Green line of DM). But those people want the metro for city to be with Braud Gauge.
If the administration decides to go for Braud Gauge, then most of the people who are aginst rught now, will support the project.
@ Experts,
Please share thoughts on this.

adam_india

September 11th, 2011, 02:51 PM

I am no expert, but the people who want Broad guage are all former IR/Konkan railway employees. They want it to be built by IR. I say, no way that it should be built by IR. DMRC stuck to standard guage because it is common to all other metros, metros abroad, so it makes sense to keep it standard guage. I say these opposers have some personal interest in their opposition.

Indtrans

September 11th, 2011, 03:12 PM

Kolkata(Calcuta at that time) North South Metro was built by IR. The speed of work was horribly slow. So can't think the Pune Metro to be built by IR.

aam admi

September 12th, 2011, 10:37 AM

Standard gauge is commonly used world over for MRTS. Pune should stick to standard gauge. The people opposing metro in Pune are retired IR beaurocrates. They have got this habbit of oppsing whatever is suggested by DMRC. No heed should be paid to their demands. The opposition is just to show the ego. They are angree that recently borne DMRC is dictating terms to them and getting all the praise. Its a crab mentality. If IR wants to prove itself they must do to improve the record of their project implementation and safety in operations. The thought of metro construction by IR is very frightning. They should never be involved.

cncity

September 13th, 2011, 02:51 AM

With Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan planning to take forward the Pune Metro Rail project and even consulting the Centre to speed up various development projects for Pune, the State Urban Development Department (UDD) is gearing up to table the proposal before the Cabinet by month end.

UDD Principal Secretary T C Benjamin said the proposal has been languishing for long. “We will place the project before the Cabinet by month end as the CM has approved it and will take it up with the Centre,” said Benjamin.

The work once cleared will take at least three year to be completed. “We will follow the DMRC pattern of funding where the state will put in 20 per cent, Centre 20 per cent, 10 per cent from the municipal corporation and remaining funds to come as a loan from an international bank,” he said.

“We have asked the civic body to set up an independent cell for the project,” Benjamin said. “Elevated metro will not affect the aesthetics of the city and will help connect the eastern part of the city to the western part,’’ he added.

UDD officials in their report have stated that the ridership will be very high, particularly for lines where a person from the railway station can reach the central part of the city in very little time.

The corridor is all set to connect important areas — Deccan, Kothrud, Jungli Maharaj Road, Boat Club, Yerawada, Kalyani Nagar, Viman Nagar and Wadgaonsheri.

The Metro plan was approved by the PMC last year and forwarded to the state government. A budgetary allocation of Rs 2,600 crore has been made for the project. There were oppositions to an elevated Metro in the city. Industrialists and other stakeholders feel that the Metro should have been underground. “The cost factor does not permit us to go for an underground Metro. It will have to be an elevated one for the city,” said Benjamin.

The Parisar Group which had sent proper objections towards this proposal is surprised that there has been no dialogue with the members.

“It is very unfortunate that the government reacts this way. They should have got back to us and explained us why they are taking such a decision,’’ said Sujit Patwardhan, a member

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/udd-to-table-pune-metro-project-before-cabinet-by-sep-30/845810/2

NitinPatel

November 1st, 2011, 11:04 AM

Maharashtra committed to starting metro in Pune, says CM (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Maharashtra-committed-to-starting-metro-in-Pune-says-CM/articleshow/10561114.cms)

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Monday said that the government was committed to start a metro railway in Pune and that all steps are being taken to execute the project.

Addressing a rally of Congress workers at Congress Bhavan, Chavan said, "The metro project will be implemented in Pune. The Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) has submitted its draft and we are looking into the financial engineering package. We are exploring various options to execute the project, including build operate and transfer. We are in the process of finalizing the financial model."

"Pune city needs the metro and we want to complete this project as soon as possible," he added.

In June 2010, the general body of the Pune Municipal Corporation gave the green signal to the proposal to build a 14.925-km corridor of the Pune metro railway from Vanaz (Paud Road) to Ramwadi (Ahmednagar Road). The civic body is waiting for the state government's approval and financial assistance to start the project that will cost Rs 2,281 crore. The PMC plans to contribute 10 per cent of the total expense, get 40 per cent from the state and the Centre and the rest from private players.

The DMRC has recommended a model to be incorporated jointly in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. It has also suggested that a company be formed to run the project. Though various citizen groups are coming up with objections to the project, the DMRC, in its report, had urged the PMC and the state government to avoid any delay in executing the project.

"Rapid industrialisation and intense commercial development have resulted in steep rise in travel demand, putting Pune's transport infrastructure to stress. With the projected increase in the city's population, strengthening and augmenting the transport infrastructure has assumed urgency," the report states.

With a large number of industrial units coming up, small-scale as well as in heavy- and medium-scale, traffic in the city is expected to shoot up. Being thickly populated, Pune's traffic needs cannot be met by any roadbased system, the report adds.

World8115

November 1st, 2011, 04:52 PM

Pune’s crying need for mass transport system (http://www.dnaindia.com/speakup/report_punes-crying-need-for-mass-transport-system_1606119)

cncity

November 8th, 2011, 03:37 PM

Experts and activists who under the Pune Metro Jagruti Abhiyaan have been campaigning for a well planned metro, may have some hope now

Unarguably, public transport is the biggest issue concerning Pune. With nearly 25 lakh private vehicles on roads, more than 70% of which comprise two-wheelers, traffic chaos on roads has turned commuting into a nightmare. Add to this is poor show of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in the management of public transport buses and BRT routes.

It was against this background that the Pune Metro proposal was floated in 2008. However, predictably, lack of application and transparency put the metro proposal, made haphazardly by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) into a whirlpool of controversy. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Pune Metro was passed by 143 out of 144 corporators unanimously in a few minutes, without even studying the proposal. When the lone independent corporator Ujwal Keskar asked for its copy at that General Body meeting where the resolution was passed, the city engineer replied that "He had forgotten to get it''. So much for the seriousness of the most expensive project ever to come to Pune, then estimated to be over Rs10,000 crore.

Things began to derail in 2010 when the PMC declared it would choose the least priority corridor of around 16 kms, completely elevated running though congested roads; would demolish heritage structures and residential buildings, would go over sensitive areas like Pune Railway station (for which permission was not sought) and 4 FSI would be permitted along the corridor which would lead to unimaginable congestion and stress on civic infrastructure. The haphazardness also reflected in the casual manner in which the DPR stated levying of an array taxes on citizens for any number of years without giving specifis; location of metro depots which were opposed, one by the College of Agriculture authorities and the other at the Kothrud garbage dump, earmarked for ShivShahi Pratishthan.

The Pune Metro Jagruti Abhiyaan (PMJA), an umbrella of organizations comprising civic and social activists, civil engineers, architects and urban planners and corporate leaders campaigned rigorously through mass awareness campaigns through PPT presentations and intense dialogues with political leaders of the city and state as well as officers of the PMC administration. The demand was an independent assessment of the faulty DPR and to consider an underground metro for the maximum effect in terms of passenger utlisation and undisturbed progress of work.

Hyderabad Metro is a sterling example of the progress of its elevated metro stuck due to 60 per cent of land acquisition either in litigation or vehement opposition. The Jaipur elevated metro too has brought in demands by citizens of stopping work midway due to enormous inconveniences to citizens. In Mumbai, the fully elevated 12 km Versova-Ghatkopar corridor which was scheduled for completion in December 2010 is not even 50 per cent complete. The second corridor of Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd also fully elevated and scheduled to complete in December 2014 is yet to clearances from MoEF, Coastal regulation autorities, Fire department, civil aviation and railways. Now, wisdom has dawned, as the third corridor of Colaba-Bandra which was to be partly elevated is now going to be completely underground.

Despite intense dialogues with stakeholders by the PMJA, the PMC passed the defective Pune Metro proposal wherein a large part of the funding was to come from the state and central government. However, it is languishing with the state government since the last one year. Thankfully, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar declared last week that after seeing the mess that elevated corridors have created in cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore, he would support underground metro for Pune, even if it is not as cost-effective as the elevated metro, since in the long run the former would be more beneficial.

Underground Metro for Pune which was one of the primary demands of PMJA seems to suddenly have a glimmer of hope. In a Press Conference organized by PMJA on Monday evening, Arun Firodia, leading industrialist and an integral part of the PMJA campaign through MCCIA's social NGO Janwani stated that, "We welcome the statement by Pune's Guardian Minister Mr Ajit Pawar supporting underground Metro for Pune. As against the common perception that an underground metro will take time, it, in fact can be implemented faster as there would be very minimal land acquisition issues; no shifting of utilities as an underground metro would be below 15 or 30 metres; no disturbance or inconveniences to citizens as work would not be on the road - the machines would be working smoothly and uninterrupted below the soil.''

Narendra Pathak, underground metro expert who was a consultant for the Bangkok, Bulgaria and part of Delhi underground metro said, "Pune being in the Seismic Zone IV, it was unadvisable to have an elevated metro. Underground metro is ideal for Pune as it has hard rock, which is extremely good for the corridor. All over the world, it has been observed that an elevated metro has a life of only 20 to 30 years whereas underground metro lasts more than 100 years as has been witnessed in cities like London and Moscow.''

Talking about the costs, KK Gokhale, railway engineering expert said, "The DMRC's DPR has touched upon only the construction cost for the elevated corridor which PMC has chosen to build first but it has not taken into consideration land acquisition charges, shifting of utilities etc which it has put the onus on the PMC. Also, an elevated metro corridor has to go along the road design whereas the underground metro has no such restrictions and therefore the routes will be shorter, thus saving upon money and the network between stations would be more comprehensive and easier to build.''

Civic activist Prashant Inamdar said, "DMRC report also states (Chapter 4, pg 2) that underground metro is preferable over elevated metro if corridor is on busy roads.''

So, what is now required for the consideration of Underground Metro as the elevated metro proposal is already with the state government? Experts stated that, ``there is already a few kilometers of underground metro line planned in the present DPR - all that is required is modification in the plan.'' Corporator Ujwal Keskar who is also keen on a underground metro plans to seal it technically in the parliament of the Pune Municipal Corporation in a day or two before the code of conduct comes into effect for the PMC elections to be held early next year.

(Vinita Deshmukh is consulting editor of Moneylife. She is also an RTI activist and convener of the Pune Metro Jagruti Abhiyaan. She can be reached at vinitapune@gmail.com).

http://www.moneylife.in/article/underground-metro-in-pune-will-not-be-as-costly-as-portrayed-by-dmrc-say-experts/21242.html

Abhishek901

November 8th, 2011, 03:51 PM

This is only going to delay it further.

World8115

November 9th, 2011, 03:22 PM

Ajit Pawar's metro gets wide support

Source: DNA India (http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_ajit-pawar-s-metro-gets-wide-support_1609234)
Pune Metro Jagruti Abhiyan (PMJA) on Monday applauded deputy chief minister and leader of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Ajit Pawar for his insistence on having an underground metro railway project in the city.

In a statement, the association of activists said that only underground metro is suitable for Pune but Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) had recommended elevated metro.

PMJA convenor Vinita Deshmukh, co-conveners Prashant Inamdar and Girish Deshpande were present. Pawar had said in the city on Saturday that the NCP had earlier supported elevated metro in view of the cost of the project, but insisted on underground option after considering the problems of elevated metro in Mumbai and Bangalore.

Industrialist Arun Firodiya said in a press conference on behalf of the PMJA that the basic capital cost of underground metro is higher than elevated metro. But considering various social, economic and environmental factors, the cost per kilometre per passenger is almost the same for both the modes.

He said that the extra cost for construction of underground metro would be compensated by developing markets at the metro stations.

Firodiya said that underground metro has many advantages as no disturbance to traffic during construction, no massive land acquisition required, shortest possible length of route and location at any convenient place, higher safety level, connectivity for future expansions and no cutting of trees required.

India101

November 11th, 2011, 09:09 AM

Keskar submits plan for underground metro (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-10/pune/30381759_1_underground-metro-vanaz-pune-metro-railway)

PUNE: Independent corporator Ujwal Keskar has submitted an underground metro proposal before the general body (GB) of the municipal corporation following deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar's opposition to the elevated metro proposal.

In June 2010, the Pune Municipal Corporation GB gave the green signal to the proposal to build a 14.925-km corridor of the Pune metro railway from Vanaz (Paud road) to Ramwadi (Ahmednagar Road).

Last week, Ajit Pawar stated that an underground metro is the 'sustainable' option and Pune should go for the same.

"The deputy CM has taken a very good stand and I have submitted a resolution to the same effect in the GB meeting of the municipal corporation. I hope that the ruling NCP stands by its leader's assurance to Pune and supports my resolution for underground metro and scraps the earlier proposal for elevated metro," said Keskar, who was the only member to oppose the elevated metro proposal when all supported it in the 2005 GB meeting.

Keskar said that he will request leader of the house to table the proposal in this month's GB meeting so that it could be approved immediately and forwarded to the state for further procedure.

Source: TOI

NitinPatel

November 13th, 2011, 03:21 PM

Cong leaders to insist on elevated metro (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Cong-leaders-to-insist-on-elevated-metro/articleshow/10713926.cms)

A city Congress delegation will meet chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to pursue the elevated metro rail project in the city.

Speaking to reporters, Aba Bagul, leader of the Congress in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), said the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Shiv Sena are creating obstacles in the Pune metro project by insisting on underground metro.

"All these years, the PMC has been discussing the metro project and the all parties had unanimously supported the elevated metro project proposal last year. The proposal is now with the state government for final approval. The state and centre have agreed to fund the Pune metro. In fact, the chief minister, who was in the city last week, announced that the state was committed to start the Pune metro as soon as possible," said Bagul.

"The NCP, MNS and the Shiv Sena are deliberately creating a hurdle when the project approval is in final stage. The NCP had taken lead to support the elevated project and has backtracked without any substantial reason," said Bagul.

The city Congress stands firm on the elevated metro and welcomes chief minister's announcement to give priority to the Pune metro. "We will soon take a delegation to chief minister to express our support to him. We want Pune metro to start as soon as possible," said Bagul.

Bagul's statement comes against the backdrop of Shiv Sena members Prithviraj Sutar, Leena Pansare and Ashok Harnawal submitting a proposal before the standing committee stating the PMC should prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the underground metro in the city.

"The city needs underground metro and the DPR should be prepared for the same," said the members in the proposal. Sena's stand follows the recent announcement by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar's announcement that the city needs underground metro.

World8115

November 14th, 2011, 03:14 PM

Insistence on underground Metro may delay project

Source (http://www.mid-day.com/news/2011/nov/141111-pune-Insistence-on-underground-Metro-may-delay-project.htm)
Officials say fresh project report will take 6 months, cost of Metro will go up

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's promise of a metro corridor for the city may get delayed further as various groups have demanded an underground route. An underground metro will require a new Detailed Project Report (DPR) and further approvals by various agencies.

The project has already been delayed because of pending approval from the state government, after which it will have to be sent to the Centre for approval. The metro route for the city was planned by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which is the consultant for the project and the DPR was approved by the General Body of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) last year.

A PMC official requesting anonymity said that the DMRC might have to prepare a new DPR, which requires at least four to six months. "An underground metro requires more advanced technology like tunnel boring machines. In Mumbai, an elevated metro route which was opposed by citizens was around Rs 50, 000 crores cheaper than the underground metro," said an official.

The Shiv Sena, NCP, BJP and MNS are supporting an underground metro. Senior NCP leader from the city Ankush Kakade admitted that an underground metro would delay the project beyond the 2014 deadline.

A delegation of city Congress leaders led by Corporator Aba Bagul will meet Chavan to push for an elevated metro. "The Sena and the MNS are misleading the people. The DPR has been prepared for an elevated metro. An underground metro will cost 10 times more, and the financial burden will have to borne by Puneites," said Bagul.

devendra1

November 14th, 2011, 04:01 PM

NCP leader from the city Ankush Kakade admitted that an underground metro would delay the project beyond the 2014 deadline.

Makes me laugh as if the elevated stretch will be completed by 2014.

Bombay2Calcutta

November 14th, 2011, 06:43 PM

IE (http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/873091/)
Light Rail Transit system mooted for faster, cheaper travel in city

Pune : Even as a debate has broken out over whether Pune city should have an underground Metro or an elevated one, another proposal claimed to be better than the two models has emerged.
Called Light Rail Transit or Light Rail Travel, the system which is being imlpemented in Geneva in Switzerland and Bordeaux in France is being pushed forward as a cheaper, environmentally safer alternative with speed and higher capacity suitable for a city like Pune where vehicular de-congestion has become the focal point for city planners.

A proposal to implement the LRT system in Pune city has been submitted to NCP chief Sharad Pawar by Green Thumb, a city NGO, which, in association with other city organisations, is fighting to bring in an effective transport system to the city. “We went to Delhi to submit the proposal to the NCP chief last week. Now we are awaiting a response from him,” said Lt Col (Retd) Suresh Patil, chairman of Green Thumb.

Anna Hazare is a trustee of the organisation.

Col Patil said they have submitted the proposal to Mayor Mohan Singh Rajpal recently. “The mayor has heard us and said he would soon let us know as to what his thoughts are on the plan,” he said. When contacted, the mayor said, “He has received the proposal and needs time to study it.”

Expressing apphrension on underground Pune metro coming up, the activists point out that LRT is the best alternative between tram and metro. “LRT is cost-effective, the cost will come down considerably when LRT is implemeted. If metro required say Rs 100, then LRT needed only Rs 10...” Col Patil, the only Indian Army officer in the delegation which went to Rio for the envinronment summit, said.

Col Patil said he spent three months in France closely observing functioning of LRT. “After my observations and interaction with officials and experts there, I think LRT is a good substitute for BRT and Metro. BRT is in fact obselete and does not exist anywhere except Mexico,” he said.

LRT has six to eight compartments, makes less noise, picks up speed instantly. Each LRT train has the capacity to take the load of about 20 to 25 buses. “If LRT is implemented, number of personal vehicles on roads will come down significantly,” said Col Patil, whose nullah park project had become popular in the 90s.

Col Patil said LRTs basically run along rivers. “In the city, we should experiment it from Panshet to Kharadi first and then along Khadakwasla canal. If citizens are permitted to park vehicles along the river, then personal vehicles won’t congest the city areas. The system encourages people to park vehicles at stations and use LRT. The ticket rates are far cheaper. Car owners also get concession in travel in Bordeaux city,” he said.

Vijay Kumbhar, president of the Surajya Sangharsh Samiti, said LRT system should be tried if it is cost-effective and can be set up in less time. “My concern is that if we don't put an effective system in place, our traffic problems will spin out of control.”

He said he was not opposed to either underground metro or an elevated one. "There should be a balance...Look closely at LRT, skywalks, underground metro, elevated metro and come up with a best and lasting solution to Pune’s growing traffic problem,” he said. Civic activist Prashant Inamdar, a proponent of underground metro, said he too has heard about the LRT system, but would need time to study its effectiveness for Pune’s conditions.

Abhishek901

November 14th, 2011, 07:44 PM

Pune metro will remain "proposed" for a lot more time if such unnecessary debates continue. They should at least see if there is any major and growing city whose backbone is an LRT system.

Indtrans

November 18th, 2011, 11:27 AM

Pune metro will remain "proposed" for a lot more time if such unnecessary debates continue. They should at least see if there is any major and growing city whose backbone is an LRT system.//

I agree with you Abhishek.

Ashis Mitra

November 20th, 2011, 09:20 PM

What is the present status of the metro project? Will it really be built?

World8115

November 21st, 2011, 03:08 PM

Metro could match growing city's needs

Source: TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-20/pune/30421534_1_skybus-project-metro-rail-project-bus-route)
The metro rail project is important for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad's nearly 50 lakh population as it would address a decade of traffic problems that worsened after an increase in private vehicles.

Other multi-modal mass public transportation projects like tram, skybus and monorail have been non-starters, while the bus rapid transit system is poorly implemented.

Before the 2002 civic elections, political parties including the Congress, BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP had promised the execution of the Konkan Railway Corporation's skybus project. The election manifestos of these parties mentioned a Rs 3,500 crore skybus project.

Between 2002 and 2007, the project was much discussed in the civic corridors. A team of elected office-bearers and civic officials, who had been to Goa to see the trial runs of the skybus were for the project. However, it was soon forgotten as issues related to its feasibility and safety cropped up.

During the same years, the PMC and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporation came up with the idea of a tram service between the two cities. Some civic members and officials visited Germany to examine its feasibility and subsequently the project reports were made. However, it did not progress beyond the basic planning stage as the civic bodies dithered.

The Pune Municipal Corporation planned e-buses (electrically-operated) along riverside roads. The project was to be undertaken after seeking a Rs 1,100 crore loan from the Japan Bank of International Cooperation. However, the project was scrapped after it turned into a political controversy.

The monorail project too met with the same fate in 2007. Although, the civic body had asked the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) to check the feasibility on a 25-km stretch, political backing withered away.

The pilot Bus Rapid Transit project on a 16.5 km stretch has run into problems with transportation experts pointing to lack of basic features like a dedicated bus route, non-availability of good buses with frequency, lack of level boarding facilities, and absence of other facilities for bus commuters and pedestrians.

Transportation experts have said that the city's BRT, launched in December 2006, is only a dedicated bus route service. Five years since the launch of the project, the pilot BRTS is in a bad shape because of its poor implementation. PMC's plan to implement BRT on various other roads too has been put on hold with numerous controversies surrounding the project.

The city's basic bus transport service is grossly neglected. While a unified public transport company PMPML was formed for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad in 2007, it continues to face flak for poor services to cater to the present population of 50 lakh. It also lacks other basic facilities such as bus depots for carrying out repairs and maintenance.

Against this background, while there are initial doubts over the implementation of the metro rail project, many point out that it is necessary for the city to solve the transportation problems. City police commissioner Meeran Chadha Borwankar is in support of the project.

At the launch of the traffic help booth early this year, she had said that the metro rail project should be started at the earliest to help solve the city's traffic problems. Observing that the public transport system needs to be strengthened, Borwankar however said that PMPML services alone would be inadequate to cater to the large population of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. A metro rail would benefit citizens, she added.

Prashant Inamdar of Pedestrians First says that while he was not against either elevated of underground metro project. " However, a decision about the type of metro should be taken with utmost care and seriousness. For the urbanization and population, and its long-term benefits, an underground metro would be most suitable for the city, although its cost appear high," he said.

Sujit Patwardhan of Parisar working for sustainable public transport said there needs to be conviction among the city planners taking important decisions to improve public transport. " A metro will benefit the city for the next 200 years, but it should be implemented with careful planning, considering its utility and future needs and not as a political stunt," he said.

Vehicles on the rise

In the last 15 years, the Pune Municipal Corporation has planned many ambitious projects for improving public transport. In April this year, the number of vehicles in Pune city crossed the 20-lakh mark. In 2001, there were 9.02 lakh vehicles registered with the Pune regional transport office. The number of two-wheelers and cars has doubled. Traffic officials say that considering the vehicle population of Pimpri-Chinchwad as well as vehicles which come to the city everyday, the number of vehicles has already crossed the 26-lakh mark. Regional transport officials said that in the last three years, vehicles have increased annually by around 1.2 lakh. Earlier, the average annual increase in vehicles was one lakh.

HCMTR in the offing, promises civic body

Source: TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-19/pune/30419239_1_land-acquisition-pmc-public-transport)
A decision has been taken to reserve the proposed high capacity mass transit route (HCMTR) only for public transport, said Ganesh Bidkar, standing committee chairman of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

Municipal commissioner Mahesh Pathak and Bidkar attended a meeting of HCMTR that was held on Friday.

"No private vehicles should be allowed on this route that will be dedicated solely to public transport. Any mass transit system, such as monorail or metro, can be made operational on this route. It has been decided to appoint a consultant to prepare a detailed project report," Bidkar said while addressing a news conference here on Friday. "It has also been decided to hand over the land acquisition for the project to a private firm. Tenders for the same will be floated soon," Bidkar added.

Bidkar said around 7.60 lakh sq metres land is required for the project. Of this, nearly 52,000 sq metres has already been acquired. Apart from private lands, lands owned by forest department, state government, the Pune Cantonment Board and Khadki Cantonment Board is to be acquired.

"A committee of PMC officials has been formed to ensure that the land is acquired fast. Other decisions to speed up the process include use of development TDR and premium for land acquisition. PMC will offer development TDR and premium to acquire the land," Bidkar said.

HCMTR is a land route earmarked under the development plan of 1987 for swift movement of public transport vehicles and a rail-based corridor. The PMC is planning to develop nearly 34-km-long route for this project.

The Development Plan for 1987 had shortlisted two internal ring roads - one that will pass through Peth areas and the other an HCMTR route connecting areas between Bopodi and Hadapsar.

Of the total 430 square kilometres limit of the PMC, only 7.5% land has been developed for roads and about 65% roads earmarked in the 1987 DP have been completed. According to PMC's own survey, severe traffic congestion in the heart of the city does not allow vehicles to exceed 10-12 km/hour speed on an average.

The 1987 DP had underlined the need to execute inner ring road project linking various thoroughfares within municipal limits. The state town planning department had worked out a detailed route of the road that passed via various congested areas and linked main thoroughfares.

fuwad

November 22nd, 2011, 04:54 AM

DMRC for elevated rail, Ajit firm on underground metro

Mon Nov 21 2011, 04:44 hrs Pune:

Even as Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is set to submit its final report to the state government on Monday on the proposed Pune metro in favour of an elevated rail, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday reaffirmed his faith on an underground metro as the best for the city. “After learning from other cities, I decided to support an underground metro. Although expensive, it’s in the interest of a bustling city like Pune,” he told this paper.

Rejecting an elevated metro he was earlier in favour of, he said projects in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi have led to environmental issues and noise pollution. He said, “Do we need a project that goes against public interest and health?”

The Pune Guardian Minister said although he had earlier supported an elevated metro, he changed his mind after realising several lacunae. “I have become aware of problems created by elevated metros. Apart from learning from other cities, I held discussions with experts and came to the conclusion that an underground metro is ideal for Pune,” he said.

If an elevated metro is taken up, the biggest hurdle would be during land acquisition, he said and added, “In an already congested city, displacing hundreds of people will unnecessarily disturb peace. For an underground rail, there is no need to displace people or acquire land. The project will take shape faster than an elevated one,” he said. Although it would require lot of money, it would be worth the investment. “If we consider the future of a growing city like Pune, we won’t regret the investment,” he said.

He said some sections of society and journalists were pushing for an elevated metro, but he was firm on his decision. “Although our party does not have the majority in the state or the civic body, we are firm on our decision,” he said.

NCP city unit chief Vandana Chavan said the party has taken the right decision. “First we thought an elevated metro would be good, but after a thorough study, we decided to pitch in for an underground metro. Our leader Ajit Pawar has made the right decision unlike some favouring an elevated metro without studying ground realities,” she said.

The underground metro has wide support among civic activists, experts, industrialists and parties like the Shiv Sena. The Pune Metro Jagruti Abhiyan (PMJA) has been on the forefront of the demand for an underground metro and applauded the NCP for its stand.

The PMJA Abhiyan said underground metro was any day better than an elevated one as far as environment, safety and saving trees or historical monuments are concerned. Industrialist and PMJA member Arun Firodia said they had been rooting for an underground metro.

“An elevated metro could be vulnerable as Pune is in seismic zone four, but not an underground metro,” said Narendra Bhagwat, an expert on underground rail. Dr Ketan Gokhale, former MD, Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd, has also been in favour of underground metro because of its advantages.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/dmrc-for-elevated-rail-ajit-firm-on-underground-metro/878528/0

Indtrans

November 22nd, 2011, 11:44 AM

If the entire stretch of first line of Pune metro i.e. Vanaz to Ramwadi, need to be U/G, then new DPR(Detailed Project Report) need to be prepared.
That will take again some more time. Then obiviously the project cost will be higher. The new DPR will need to send to State Govt for approval again.
I think it will take at least two years to start the work if such a change is going to take place.

cncity

November 22nd, 2011, 06:36 PM

Pune metro's funding options ready, DMRC looks at nitty-gritties

PUNE: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has drafted the financial viability to build the 14.925-km corridor of the Pune metro railway from Vanaz on Paud Road to Ramwadi on Ahmednagar Road, but will need more time to finalize the details.

"We have worked out the final rates of the project as sought by the Maharashtra government. We were to submit the data to the government on Monday, but we need a few more days," DMRC's executive director S D Sharma told TOI on Friday.

The draft plan suggested financial models which includes the DMRC's own model and a build-operate-transfer option with viability gap funding and public-private partnership.

Under the DMRC model, 50 % of the cost would come through the Central government, while the remaining 50% is to be jointly invested by a special purpose vehicle (ideally, a private company) and the state government. This model is the quickest and the cheapest way, according to the DMRC.

The civic body will contribute 10 % and get 40 % from the state and the Centre and source the rest from private players. As per estimates in 2009, the second corridor between Vanaz and Ramwadi will cost Rs 1,948 crore and Rs 2,281 crore if taxes are included.

A senior official said that the state was looking at setting up the Pune Metro Rail Corporation Limited (PMRC), a Special Purpose Vehicle Company Act, 1956.

The proposed company, the state and the centre could contribute 40% funds, the state could provide another 11% through rehabilitation and land deals, the state and centre could give 12% funds in the form of additional tax, 7% could come from property development, this coupled with a loan component of 1.2% and a market borrowing of 30% would help implement the project.

The state government will consult the PMC and the DMRC will give a final financial model for Pune metro. Sources in the state government said some big private players have shown interest in the Pune metro rail project. "The state government will most probably go ahead with the DMRC's plan as no other transport mode other than the metro is feasible for Pune city," a state official said.

Execution of a monorail will cost about Rs 130-140 crore per km, while the metro will cost Rs 150-160 crore per km. However, the passenger carrying capacity of the metro is much higher than the monorail.

According to the DMRC, metro structures last for over 75 years, but the capital cost of such projects is difficult to recover though the running expenditure could be got back. The elevated metro is expected to cost Rs 4 crore per km per month, while the underground metro will cost Rs 6 crore per km per month.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Pune-metros-funding-options-ready-DMRC-looks-at-nitty-gritties/articleshow/10823946.cms

Indtrans

November 23rd, 2011, 08:20 AM

In the general body meeting of PMC, the decision regarding to "underground metro" was postponded till March 2012. Due to this the way for first line (i.e. Vanaz to Ramwadi) looks to be clear.
Now its responsibility of the state government to apporve the first line to start the work.
Let us see what happens.

fuwad

November 23rd, 2011, 01:15 PM

Pune: Path cleared for elevated metro plan

Published: Wednesday, Nov 23, 2011, 11:49 IST
By DNA Correspondent | Place: Pune | Agency: DNA

The proposal for underground metro project on Vanaz to Ramwadi route in the city was effectively rejected by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) general body (GB) on Tuesday. The ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) allowed its consideration to be adjourned till March 2012, despite support by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.

With this development a possible hurdle in implementation of 15-km elevated metro railway project was removed, as the passage of underground metro project proposal would have resulted in trashing all work done for elevated metro.

Post-February 2012 PMC polls, political equations in the civic body would change and, meanwhile, the state government may approve and forward the elevated metro project to the central government. Thus, the path for the elevated metro project was cleared due to the failure to pass a resolution for the underground one. Had the GB approved the underground metro proposal, it would have required starting the long process again.

It was an opportunity for the ruling NCP to pass the proposal with Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) support, but it did not attempt to do it.

When the resolution was declared for consideration, the group leader of Congress in PMC and leader of opposition, Aba Bagul, moved a supplementary resolution to adjourn the proposal to March 2012.

Instead of opposing the adjournment motion, the NCP supported it in alliance with the Congress. The adjournment motion was passed with 25 votes in favour and 19 in opposition. Most of the NCP members were absent in the house during the voting.
Shiv Sena and MNS members, and independent corporator Ujwal Keskar, opposed the resolution.

While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) abstained from voting, its member and chairman of standing committee Ganesh Bidkar supported the adjournment motion.

The PMC had approved a proposal for elevated metro in June 2010 and sent it to the state government for approval and to forward it to the central government for final approval. Chief minister (CM) Prithviraj Chavan had declared in the city on October 31 that the state government was working on the financial package for the elevated metro project.

Following the CM’s declaration, the NCP, which was instrumental in passing the resolution of elevated metro, changed its stand as deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar asked for an underground metro instead of the elevated one. Against this background, independent corporator Ujwal Keskar had moved a proposal before the GB for underground metro.

A similar proposal for underground metro from Vanaz to Ramwadi was defeated a few days ago in the PMC standing committee as the Congress and the BJP joined hands to oppose it and Bidkar used his casting vote as a chairman.

Then, the NCP had joined hands with Sena to support the resolution for underground metro.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_pune-path-cleared-for-elevated-metro-plan_1616285

p2p4

November 24th, 2011, 04:38 AM

This is great news for Pune. Now let's hope things get moving across the board and on to the building sites.

This will certainly take away a LARGE chunk of traffic off Pune roads.

adam_india

November 24th, 2011, 06:02 AM

let's hope things get moving across the board and on to the building sites.

sorry to crash your hopes but unless the state govt. moves fast there is going to be internal bickering between Cong & NCP about this next year after the local elections, which might really push the project off by a year a even more...till that time the traffic situation is just going to go even more crazy. The danger and absolute madness surprises me every time I return to the city after travelling around a bit. The traffic has really become unruly & beyond uncivilised. Punekars seem to be going down rather than up in the evolution ladder. It's like they become bloody monkeys once they get on their bikes or into their cars.

devendra1

November 24th, 2011, 11:32 AM

truely said no where in India you get so many uncivilized riders. Pune should lead in no of people breaking traffic rules

Ashis Mitra

November 27th, 2011, 07:45 PM

aam admi

November 28th, 2011, 12:20 PM

Although it is costlier, but underground metro is the best solution. Far less land aquisition, and no question of visual hampering.

Even the proposed line 4 & 6 of Kolkata metro, which earlier thought to replace the elevated rail line of airport to metro, finally replaced this plan by underground strench around airport, only for visual hampering.

The best solution is underground metro with 3rd rail.

NAGPUR is the 3rd biggest city of Maharashtra. So I think, like Pune, Nagpur should also get a good metro. It is a big city, along with a very big and important rail junction.

Cost is the biggest disadvantage with UG metro. When we are getting the same service what is need to spend more on underground. We are not a rich nation to spend millions just for the sake of visual asthetics. Better urban transport is the need of hour and it should be constructed at most economical way and ASAp. The futile discussion of UG and elevated has been started by mostly retired IR bureaucrates who are jealous of DMRC and oppose any proposal put forward by it.
Same type of interference is there is Kolkata where IR loby is strong and it has resultant in delay of East West line. Just to outsmart DMRC these people have illadvised Mamata to go for metro under IR even after disatrous project inplementation of old metro. those projects are not progressing well. There is no fund tie up, no DPR, no competant agency implementing project etc.
Pune should be aware of the wasted interest and implement fast the much needed metro project without going in the debate further.

Indtrans

November 29th, 2011, 08:30 AM

Cost is the biggest disadvantage with UG metro. When we are getting the same service what is need to spend more on underground. We are not a rich nation to spend millions just for the sake of visual asthetics. Better urban transport is the need of hour and it should be constructed at most economical way and ASAp. The futile discussion of UG and elevated has been started by mostly retired IR bureaucrates who are jealous of DMRC and oppose any proposal put forward by it.
Same type of interference is there is Kolkata where IR loby is strong and it has resultant in delay of East West line. Just to outsmart DMRC these people have illadvised Mamata to go for metro under IR even after disatrous project inplementation of old metro. those projects are not progressing well. There is no fund tie up, no DPR, no competant agency implementing project etc.
Pune should be aware of the wasted interest and implement fast the much needed metro project without going in the debate further.

You are right. Its already late for the project.

dibdigc

November 29th, 2011, 03:39 PM

Ashis Mitra

December 2nd, 2011, 05:13 PM

Thanks to all for continuing discusson.

Indianempire

December 2nd, 2011, 10:44 PM

Exactly....
Even though top-5-6 cities with higher population densities can think of underground metro where it is required, for smaller cities like Pune, the important feature should be coverage throughout, not spend too much money on UG metro

But having said that, cities like Mumbai should think of having high percentage UG metro..because its the business hub of our country..its worth to spend a few extra bucks out there
I somewhat believe that ... but on the other hand pune is bound to be a major player in the next 10-15 years and thus the population of migrant skilled people will ris exponentially... so, I think it is very good if they think for u/g metro

dibdigc

December 3rd, 2011, 05:02 AM

I somewhat believe that ... but on the other hand pune is bound to be a major player in the next 10-15 years and thus the population of migrant skilled people will ris exponentially... so, I think it is very good if they think for u/g metro

There is no denying the fact that u/g is better than elevated..
but,like pune there are around a dozen of cities which are planning and deserve a metro. So, if every city start demanding u/g metro, i dont think that will be financially viable for the govt. Atleast the first 2 phase of development should be elevated, and then, considering our economy and growth of that particular city, they can plan new u/g metro routes

UrbanQuest

December 6th, 2011, 06:59 PM

I am quite tired of this debate after debate that we have in India. This project was conceived way back in 2005-06 and we have not seen any movement on this. All we have had is report after report, recommendation after recommendation study after study and debate after debate. Every other two months the newspapers carry fancy photographs of metro trains the world over and a colour picture of the multiple lines that will apparently come up in Pune. :bash:

It's time we started working on projects than just debating. Take a look at the Chinese; in the time that we take to decide a project, they go and build and operationalize it too. And lest we forget, the British & French built these lines way back about a 100 years ago; and here we sit around a table and keep talking and debating whether UG is better or elevated!!!

I frankly don't care anymore whether UG is better or elevated is better. I just want to see the work started and then finished in a reasonable time frame.
:gaah:

Indtrans

December 7th, 2011, 07:15 AM

World8115

December 9th, 2011, 10:52 AM

Centre has okayed Pune metro in principle: CM

Source: TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Centre-has-okayed-Pune-metro-in-principle-CM/articleshow/11038515.cms)
The state government is moving ahead with the metro project as Union urban development (UD) minister Kamal Nath has 'in principle' approved its implementation and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has submitted its technical report, Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said here on Thursday.

The development comes close on the heels of the Union UD ministry deciding to consider metros in cities with population above 20 lakh. "I have discussed the project with Kamal Nath. He has in principle agreed for the metro projects in Pune and Nagpur. The state government has also received the technical report from the DMRC," Chavan said during a function.

"Metro is the need for a growing city like Pune. The DMRC report has technical details and the required engineering and technicalities and finalisation of the financial model are being discussed. We are looking at the possibility of floating a separate company to implement the project," the CM said.

fuwad

December 12th, 2011, 09:17 AM

Thread name should be changed from "Proposed" to "Approved".

Indtrans

December 12th, 2011, 12:38 PM

Thread name should be changed from "Proposed" to "Approved".

Yes, it should be changed.

devendra1

December 12th, 2011, 01:01 PM

Yes, it should be changed.

No wait. There was a news in Maharashtra times that CM is lying:).
Lets wait for some more sources

punekar

December 12th, 2011, 03:49 PM

No wait. There was a news in Maharashtra times that CM is lying:).
Lets wait for some more sources

Please do not change anything till atleast the "bhoomipujan" gets done. Even then it will remain on paper for years.

cncity

December 22nd, 2011, 04:15 PM

Maharashtra to push metro proposal by March 2012

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday said the state government would take a cabinet decision on Pune’s proposed metro project and issue a government resolution (GR) on it within three months.
He was speaking in the state legislative council, presently in session in Nagpur. The matter was raised by MLC Mohan Joshi. MLCs Anil Bhosale and Dipti Chowdhary participated in the discussion.

Chavan said in a reply that he would soon approach the Union urban development ministry with a detailed
financial proposal for the project, adding that a special purpose vehicle, called ‘Pune Metro Rail Company’, would be required to be formed for its implementation.

The state government is weighing the option of a loan from the Japanese government at an interest rate of 1.4% with repayment after 30 years, Chavan said and added that the Union urban development minister has shown readiness to support the project. The estimated cost of the 15-km Vanaz to Ramwadi elevated metro project is Rs2,593 crore.

Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) had prepared the detailed project report (DPR) of the metro railway project for the city in 2009. In it the first stage is of 31 km, which includes the Vanaz to Ramwadi route of 15 km. The Swargate to Pimpri-Chinchwad route is also included in this stage.

The second stage of the project is of 44 km. After completion there would be metro railway project on a total route length of 75 km.

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_maharashtra-to-push-metro-proposal-by-march-2012_1628785

Imransayyed

January 24th, 2012, 10:11 AM

Any New update on Pune metro

achemsRaZor

January 26th, 2012, 06:29 AM

Will get an impetus just before state elections. They'll push it through then,

anujkb

February 5th, 2012, 03:59 AM

Whenever maharashtra comes, dirty politics come.
And Pune is the sufferer since it has deep roots of dirty politics since ages.

I dont think Pune metro will be a reality in this decade due to such dirty politics, or maybe till the time all politicians die out due to high BP and overweight.

There's a huge scope for metro in pune. metro system will be quite popular with Puneiites. Pune city is great with its traffic dispersal that even though there is no commuter rail or metro or almost negligible public transport, still the city survives albeit badly (3 hrs traffic jams) with 1.1 vehicle/person (2LPA vehicles adding).

devendra1

February 6th, 2012, 08:14 AM

Pune does have Public but the quality of buses and the service is bad.
Atleast on the BRT route on Satara road, you will find buses in seconds not even minutes, but still they are over full. The problem is quality of buses and frequency on some other routes is not good at all. Pune metro was proposed in 2006 along with Bangalore Metro, but to date nothing has happened on Pune metro. Partially this has to do with Pune not being capital city. Now you can Imaging what will happen to Nagpur Metro.

adam_india

February 26th, 2012, 08:12 AM

Underground Metro not viable option, citizens will have to pay more’
Even as the debate is on over whether the city should have an underground or an elevated Metro, the Urban Development Department (UDD) has forwarded the proposal of an ‘elevated Metro’ to the state Cabinet. The UDD seems to have pitched its lot behind the elevated Metro, an idea which was opposed by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The UDD has also sent a ‘Cabinet note’ to Pawar.

When contacted, principal secretary, UDD, T C Benjamin said the cost of building an underground Metro is three times than that for an elevated one, while the cost of operation will be six times higher, with air circulation and air-conditioning needed for underground Metro. “The Metro is supposed to be a public transport. It cannot be made expensive. There would be a difference of Rs 10-12 for every km,’’ said Benjamin.

According to the assessment of the first two kilometres for the elevated Metro, a commuter would pay Rs 10, he said. For an underground Metro, he or she would have to pay Rs 21.21, he added. For the next two-four km, the commuter would have to shell out Rs 12 for elevated and Rs 26.5 for underground Metro, said Benjamin.

Benjamin said that the income would be negative for operating the underground Metro for the government as against an elevated one and it is not financially viable in the current scenario. “PMC needs to take a call as the Metro is supposed to be a viable public transport. It should not be a financial load on those travelling by it. In Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, the elevated Metro is acceptable, why it is being delayed for Pune,’’ he asked.

UDD officials feel the discussions about the elevated and underground Metro will only delay the matter further. “If there is any other change of decision, then a new DPR needs to be prepared. This would delay the project by another two years. There would involve extensive survey and definitely delay the matter,’’ said Benjamin.

The PMC’s draft budget has earmarked Rs 3 crore as ‘project development’. Civic chief Mahesh Phatak said the state government is not working on any proposal for an underground Metro.
source: IE (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/urban-development-dept-pushes-for-elevated-metro/916832/0)

punekar

February 26th, 2012, 04:12 PM

source: IE (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/urban-development-dept-pushes-for-elevated-metro/916832/0)

They'll keep discussing and never start. Finally, they'll decide to make the metro suspended in thin air :bash:

Day by the day the traffic continues to worsen. Atleast someone should fix the BRT so that it becomes as effective as the Janmarg (in A'bad).

devendra1

March 6th, 2012, 03:17 PM

Probably this will explain the Burning Need for Metro in Pune.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-18/pune/28352819_1_road-mishaps-road-accidents-road-space

Pune has the highest rate of accidental deaths per lakh population among 27 other cities in the country.

In Pune, the space available for roads is just seven per cent. Mumbai has 11.5 per cent space for roads, while Delhi has more than ten per cent.

The percentage of two-wheelers in the city is as high as 82.

The 2 wheeler Population will be quick to switch to metro.
I guess Pune has highest no pf 2 wheelers in the country (most sites say so). There are more than 25 lakhs 2 wheelers alone as per the local news paper.

Again many of the major roads are Highways -> Mumbai-Pune, Bangalore -Pune- Mumbai, Ahmednagar-Pune, Satara-Pune, Solapur-Pune.

If Metro is there on these routes lot of 2 wheelers will go.

adam_india

March 6th, 2012, 04:15 PM

I guess Pune has highest no pf 2 wheelers in the country (most sites say so).
I think I read it had/has the highest growth in motorised 2 wheelers in the world. I think the two wheelers are also the cause for the chaotic driving in the city.

Metro was to pushed by March 2012. March has already come. I frankly will only believe its going to start once the tenders are invited.

Cosmicbliss

March 8th, 2012, 11:15 AM

The problem is the DPR prepared passes through rather densely populated parts of the city and acquiring land is also going to be a problem therefore. Since I am from Pune I have some idea of the problems. Also, if the Government improves bus services for the time being I think Metro may not be a compulsion. Remember, no State has actually started work on 3 Metro services. Mumbai and Navi Mumbai are already u/c so starting a third means substantial financial investment. MP has only got to the stage where DPR is being prepared for Bhopal and Indore Metro Rail.

adam_india

March 20th, 2012, 07:22 AM

DMRC sticks to elevated metro plan

Pune: While the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) about the ‘technical and financial parameters’ of an underground metro in the Vanaz to Ramwadi corridor, the DMRC has reiterated that the underground metro is not a feasible idea for the city.
Speaking to TOI on Monday, municipal commissioner Mahesh Pathak said, “The PMC sent an official letter (January 17) to the DMRC asking about the feasibility of an underground metro after the outgoing General Body (GB) of the PMC approved a resolution for the same in December 2011. We had detailed discussions soon after with the DMRC officials in this regard and an official reply is awaited.”
However, DMRC officials are unwilling to change their stand. A senior DMRC official told TOI on Monday on the condition of anonymity that they have repeatedly communicated to the PMC and the state government that the underground metro is an ‘unfeasible’ option for Pune, considering three factors — availability of funds, technical feasibility and security. The DMRC official said that metro rails are capital-intensive and building even a small stretch costs hundreds of crores of rupees.
In the letter sent on January 17,the PMC said, “The proposal of an elevated metro corridor on the Vanaz to Ramwadi corridor is sanctioned in principle by the Government of Maharashtra… However, the GB of the PMC recently passed a resolution that all metro routes in Pune city should be underground… On this background, you are requested to send your opinion by considering all technical and financial parameters regarding this resolution.”
The DMRC official said the official reply on the underground metro will be sent to the PMC this week.
He said that according to the DMRC, technical feasibility is of major concern in the underground metro project. Wherever possible, planners prefer the elevated metro to the underground one. This is because the engineering complexities and associated risks of cost and time overruns are much less for elevated stretches, as are the operation costs. If underground stations and tunnels have to be built under the cut-and-cover method, it may require acquisition of far more private and government land than an elevated stretch on road medians would need. Another aspect of concern is security. Metros are usually high on the hit list of terrorists and any attack in the underground portion leading to derailment or collision is likely to cause five times more damage than on an elevated section.
DMRC’s stand is pertinent as the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is of the opinion that the city requires an underground metro. Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has said that an underground metro is sustainable. Interestingly, till barely a few months ago, the NCP was in favour of an elevated metro. Political observers said the turnaround has come about because the party feels the Congress has garnered too much credit for the metro rail project.

source: TOI (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIPU/2012/03/20&PageLabel=2&EntityId=Ar00201&ViewMode=HTML)

devendra1

March 28th, 2012, 03:30 PM

Pune's metro, urban development plans in limbo

PUNE: The spell of disappointment that began with the Railway Budget, lingered with the Union budget, and continued with the state budget on Monday.

Finance minister Ajit Pawar, who is also the guardian minister for Pune, ignored the city and the surrounding areas' needs for infrastructure projects including the metro rail. There was no word about the formation of the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority, which many experts and urban planners say, is needed for planned development of the city and the region.

The only mention about Pune's infrastructure project is a budgetary provision for the proposed survey for the new rail route between Pune and Nashik. Even this announcement is not a new one as the state cabinet meeting, which was held early this month, had approved a proposal that the government will share half the cost for the proposed survey. The state government will spend Rs 949.82 crore for the survey.

In the run up to the municipal elections of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad held last month, both the NCP as well as the Congress had promised in their election manifestos that the metro rail projects would be expedited. The manifestos had also promised to improve public transport system, as well as take up other civic infrastructure projects. However, there is no mention of these projects in the state budget.

Chandrakant Mokate, Shiv Sena MLA from Kothrud constituency said there were hopes that budgetary provision would be made for transport improvement including the metro rail and proposed mono rail. "Improvement of public transport should have been a focus area. The city, not only needs good public transport, but also other facilities. The city has been neglected; there is also no mention about development works or projects in the rural areas in the district. There should have been a provision for a major multi-specialty hospital for western Maharashtra," he said.

Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar during his visit to the city last Sunday had insisted on the need for immediate approval of the metro rail project after considering expert opinion and the costs. In his address to the party's newly elected corporators, Pawar had observed that it was high time that a decision should be taken as the city is growing rapidly. A decision on implementation of monorail should also be taken through a similar process, he had said. Pawar had also said that the city is changing and growing fast.

``Pune needs a planning body on the lines of the Mumbai metropolitan region development authority. Many fringe villages are slated to merge into city limits and the decision on a merger should be taken without delay," Pawar had said.

Senior leader and Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe said, " The state government does not have any vision about how Pune and other important cities would grow by the year 2020. Pune is facing major traffic problems. The situation in other cities of the state is the same. There is no mention about the metro rail project or other transport solutions. During elections, the NCP and Congress had made several promises. They have all been forgotten. There is no political will."

Vinayak Nimhan, Congress MLA from Shivajinagar said the metro rail project is yet to be approved by the Centre and a budgetary provision could be made only after the final approval. There are various projects which are being undertaken under JNNURM for which budgetary provision has been made, he added.

MLC Mohan Joshi said there would be no hurdles in the formation of the PMRDA. The technical planning and other details would be examined in the next three to six months for the metro rail and it is only then that provision for the project would be made, he added.

While the NCP wants an underground metro system, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation report has suggested that elevated metro would be suitable for the city, considering the massive cost required for an underground system.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Punes-metro-urban-development-plans-in-limbo/articleshow/12422159.cms

adam_india

April 17th, 2012, 07:24 AM

State set to approve elevated metro on Vanaz-Ramwadi route

Pune: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar is back to supporting an elevated metro for Pune.After accepting the elevated rail corridor proposal from Vanaz to Ramwadi in 2010,he and his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) later did a volteface,pitching for an underground metro.
On Monday,however,Pawar cited the high cost factor of an underground metro to go back to his original support for an elevated metro.After considering the problems that some cities have faced with an elevated metro,I was of the opinion that Pune should have an underground metro.However,after consultations and considering the massive cost of having the underground project,I have come to the conclusion that the Pune metro project should be implemented as per the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) report, he said while addressing a meeting of Punes elected representatives in Mumbai.
If there arent any more flipflops along the way,the state cabinet will approve the 14.295 km elevated metro rail corridor sometime after the ongoing state legislature sessions ends next week.This progress on the metro project comes close on the heels of the Union urban development ministrys decision to consider metros in cities which have a 20-lakh plus population.
It may be recalled that when the general body of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) approved of the elevated Vanaz-Ramwadi corridor in 2010,the NCP lent its weight behind the project.However,when chief minister Prithviraj Chavan announced in February that the state government would initiate steps for Punes metro based on the DMRC report,Pawar changed his stance and said the city should have an underground metro,claiming it was the only sustainable option.

WHAT LIES AHEAD

DPR to be forwarded to urban development ministry,Planning Commission and finance ministry for approval Signing of an MOU between state and Centre giving details of the joint venture Setting up of an SPV for implementing the project and its subsequent operation and maintenance State government to formulate funding plan and get it approved by the Centre The government will have to freeze all development along the suggested corridors

source: TOI (http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=1&edlabel=TOIPU&mydateHid=17-04-2012&pubname=&edname=&articleid=Ar00102&format=&publabel=TOI)

MYSTIC

April 17th, 2012, 08:54 AM

adam_india

April 17th, 2012, 09:36 AM

^^ We have been hearing these arguments for the past 10 years which is why the traffic situation in Pune has gone from bad to worse.
There is no other alternative to Metro. Anyone who has been to Pune knows it badly needs a Metro along with other good public transport. Buses can act as feeders and fare is not going to be that high for Metro compared to PMPML. PMPML has to be one of the worst run bus services which is why Pune has higher vehicle numbers than Mumbai though dominated by two wheelers.
The route proposed is very dense.
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=90484590&postcount=26

devendra1

April 17th, 2012, 12:10 PM

Why not start with improving the bus services. Deploy A/C buses on all routes. Mono rail is also a viable option for short distance travellers. It is easier to implement, construct and financially viable. If they would have started with these smaller projects it would have given the centre a good reason to fund them for bigger projects.

Pune is a well spread out city with low density compared to other cities. Bus and mono rail services are enough to cater the needs till s foreseeable future.

Try using Satara Road BRT route and you will know why it needs metro. The Bus is Full on the very first stop itself. And the frequency of the Bus at least till swargate is in seconds not even minutes.

The worst thing is now they are constructing flyovers on this route on which elevated Metro is planned.

Bombay2Calcutta

April 17th, 2012, 06:35 PM

DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/pune/report_punes-metro-plan-elevated_1676991)
Pune’s metro plan elevated

Pune’s metro saga seems to have undergone another U- turn when it was decided that the first phase of the metro from Vanaz to Ramwadi would be elevated. This was decided in a meeting of post holders of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), MLAs and party leaders of Pune, chaired by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in Mumbai on Monday.

Standing committee chairman of the PMC Baburao Chandere, TC Benjamin, principal secretary of the urban development department and other officers pointed out the high cost of both construction and maintenance of underground metro which compelled the decision in favor of the elevated track.

“A special team of officers had studied the various facets of both underground and elevated metro and come to the decision that for PMC, underground metro would be exorbitantly expensive,” he said.

Chandere added that the detailed project report (DPR) of the first phase of metro which has been sanctioned by the general body of the PMC would be sanctioned by the state cabinet on April 20.

This decision is a complete volte-face by the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), who had promised to bring an underground metro in Pune just prior to the elections.

BJP MLA Madhuri Misal stated that important decisions regarding water supply and the Swargate flyover were also taken in the meeting.

“The municipal commissioner would be giving the no objection certificate from the metro angle for the flyover and the state government would be getting the environmental clearance,” she said.

The meeting also gave its clearance for the Khadakwasla to Parvati water pipeline, project. “The pending agreement between the civic body and the irrigation department would be ratified soon. By this arrangement Pune city would be getting 16 tmc of water,” she said.

In return, the civic body would be giving 5-6 tmc treated water back to the irrigation department.

Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Pathak pointed out that how Pune at present treats 75% of the 400 MLD of sewage water generated on a daily basis.

Pawar ordered the civic body to ensure 100 % sewage water is treated

Bombay2Calcutta

April 26th, 2012, 05:07 PM

Sakaal Times (http://www.sakaaltimes.com/20120418/5548174814359612402.htm)

NCP agrees to elevated Metro

Special Correspondent
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 AT 01:08 PM (IST)
Tags: NCP, Pune metro, Ajit Pawar, Congress, PMC
PUNE: Deputy Chief Minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, in a sudden turn around, has conceded to the Congress-backed elevated Pune Metro, admitting that the underground one could indeed prove too expensive to become a reality.

The deputy chief minister had earlier, during the campaign for the civic elections, made light of the Congress allegations on cost escalations for an underground metro.

The metro is likely to get a nod at the next cabinet meeting scheduled to be held soon after the state legislature session, Pawar said during at a meeting in Mumbai on Monday.

The minister's move could be an attempt to preempt any embarrassment for himself after he realised that Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan is indeed going to announce the elevated metro, political observers said.

NCP city unit president and newly elected Rajya Sabha member Vandana Chavan said her party did not mind withdrawing its opposition to the elevated metro if it brought relief to the common man.

“Experts have told us the underground metro could cost as much as Rs 10 per kilometre, which is way beyond the means of the common people. Apart from the three times cost escalations, the maintenance too could be high to manage, Chavan said adding that her party was still ready to hear anyone who could come up with a way to bring down the cost of the underground metro.

“The elevated routes have proven to be a disaster in Bangalore and Mumbai. Pune needs to learn lessons from their mistakes,” Pawar had said during the electioneering

He even said that being the State's finance minister, he was politically strong enough to take care of any escalated costs for the Metro project.

Nationalist Congress Party spokesperson Ankush Kakade says there is no need to read too much into the NCP's change of stance on the Metro. “We have done it on several issues earlier and there is nothing wrong in bowing down to the opinion of experts. After all we are not the experts on the issue.”

On his party's vigorous campaign on the underground metro during the the civic elections, Kakade said it would be naive to believe that such a stand had brought his party any votes.

EMBARRASSMENT
The minister’s move could be an attempt to preempt any embarrassment for himself after he realised that CM is indeed going to announce the elevated metro, political observers said.

Indtrans

May 3rd, 2012, 02:06 PM

People in the city are expecting some major announcement about formation of PMRC.

adam_india

May 10th, 2012, 11:23 PM

Metro project likely to get state nod next week

PUNE: The state Urban Development Department (UDD) has forwarded the detailed note on the financial structure of the Pune metro rail to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan who will place it before the cabinet meeting on Wednesday for approval.

"The cabinet meeting on April 9 was cancelled and, hence, the Pune metro project proposal could not be tabled. However, the cabinet will discuss the proposal and approve the same on April 16(sic!)," a senior UDD official told TOI. All the technical details of the proposal have been finalised by the state, the official added.

Of the six metro routes proposed in Pune, the 14.9-km corridor from Vanaz near Kothrud to Ramwadi would be taken up first. The route, which will cost Rs 2,593 crore, will have 15 stations including one leading to the Pune railway station.

"Formalities including setting up of a special purpose vehicle (to be called the Pune Metro Railway Corporation), seeking cabinet approval and applying to the central government for approval would be completed immediately," said the official.

A notification will also be issued under the Metro Act. Interestingly, so far, all metro routes taken up in Mumbai have been notified under the Tramway Act. The Centre had already made it clear that it would provide funds to metro projects only under the Metro Act and not under the Railways Act.

Of the Rs 2,593 crore to be spent on the Vanaz-Ramwadi route, the state and Centre will contribute 40% of the cost (20% each) in equity and the Pune Municipal Corporation will have to raise another 10%. As per the state plans, the remaining 50% will either be raised through loans or by offering the project on a build-operate-transfer or public-private partnership basis. The government is exploring options of introducing a green tax levy, allowing commercial exploitation on metro stations and grant of higher FSI at stations to make the project economically viable.

The other proposed route to be taken up in the first phase is a 17-km route from Swargate to Pimpri-Chinchwad at a cost of Rs 5,391 crore. Four other routes - Shivajinagar to Hinjewadi, Deccan to Bund Garden, Swargate to Katraj and Pimpri-Chinchwad to Nigdi (collectively 44 km) have been proposed in the second phase.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Cities-must-be-designed-for-people-not-vehicles-Centre-for-Science-and-Environment/articleshow/13087887.cms)

Should be May 16th I guess.