Pune (Metro Rail News): Maha Metro aims to increase that cost saving figure and believes it can do for Pune.
The Maharashtra metro Rail Corporation Ltd (Maha -Metro) declares it has the Nagpur Metro up and running with the total project cost seven percent lower than its budget.
Brijesh Dixit the Managing Director of Maha Metro says that “Nagpur metro got commissioned before time and the same will happen in Pune. The Nagpur metro is the first mega project completed in less than its estimated cost. The total project cost was ~8,680 crore and Maha Metro was able to save at least Rs 600 crore on the project.”
Maha Metro is the only public sector organisation in the country that has been able to accomplish this cost saving, as far as Dixit is concerned.
Maha – Metro is carrying out the two mega metro projects in Pune and Nagpur and is the special purpose vehicle (SPV).
The Nagpur metro is already engaged on an 11km route with commercial operations in place.
Pune metro is scheduled to be lunch by December 2019 or January 2020.
“As per a recent survey, all mega projects in the country with a budget more than Rs. 1000 crore are delayed and there are cost escalations,” said by Dixit.
After State government announced a transit-oriented development policy in 500- meter radius around the metro stations in Pune on March8, it has fixed the maximum permissible floor space index (FSI) to four.
However, not all owners will get the benefit of four FSI under the transit- oriented development zone as it depends on the size of the plot.
How Nagpur was saved by Maha metro
Total project cost – Rs 8.680 crore
Cost saving – at least Rs 600 crore
Global tenders
Saving – Rs 200 crore
– Rakes and wagons order go to China.
– Other material being imported from Japan and other countries too be assembled in China.
Tie-ups
Saving – Rs 200 crore
Ticketing system – contract with the State Bank of India (SBI) for multi-mobility card.
– SBI bears cost of installing ticket machines and entry exit points at all metro stations.
Pune forecast
“The same will happen in Pune. Pune metro will save even more cost.”
Said by – Brijesh Dixit, MD, Mahametro
Swargate-Katraj was delayed due to “route suggestions”
The Pune’s Swargate to Katraj metro rail extension will miss its deadline and now only be completed as part of the second phase of the Pune Metro.
Pune metro’s first phase is expected to go live in 2021 and is on track to meet the deadline.
Maha Metro managing director Brijesh Dixit said that, “the route will be finalised, but now it will happen in the second phase of the Pune metro implying phase one will not be delayed for any reason.”
Political interference is being quoted by Maha-Metro authorities as being the cause of Pune’s Swargate to Katraj.
“Maha-Metro has asked for the financial report on the route between Swargate and Katraj. Maha-Metro has prepared three options, including an underground metro, an elevated track on Satara road, and a third option that runs via market yard and Gangadham chowk,” metro rail extension being delayed said by Dixit.
MahaMetro was asked by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to prepare a development project report (DPR) for the Swargate to Katraj route, but local leaders are suggesting various route options, instead of opting for the straight route, on Satara road.
Maha-Metro is not able to finalise the DPR and the final route will now be delayed.
On the other hand, the Chinchwad to Nigdi metro extension is expected to be granted the central government’s permission before the onset of the state assembly elections, three months from now.
The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s DPR request for the Chinchwad to Nigdi line has been submitted by Maha-Metro and has the state government’s nod.
