Rs 404 crore Pune double-decker flyover plan clears design hurdle

Designs for two proposed double-decker flyovers at Karve Statue and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk in Warje have been finalised, removing a key design hurdle for the proposed Pune Metro extension from Nal Stop to Manikbaug.

The two structures will combine road flyovers with the Metro viaduct, with road traffic planned on the lower level and the Metro alignment above.

The combined preliminary cost of the road flyovers and associated Metro viaduct works is estimated at Rs 404 crore. MahaMetro has clarified that this figure covers both components and is not the cost of the road structures alone.

The estimate is based on 2021 construction rates, with escalation factored in up to 2026. The final cost could vary by up to 10 per cent depending on rates received through the tendering process.

The proposed Karve Statue flyover will be around 1.6 km long. It will begin near the Hanuman temple at Karishma Chowk on Karve Road and extend towards the Hotel Mirch Masala area near Dahanukar Colony.

The preliminary cost of this structure is estimated at Rs 327 crore. Road widening will be required at some locations to facilitate construction.

The second proposed structure at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk in Warje will be around 500 metres long. It will start near D-Mart Chowk and end around 50 metres before Canal Road.

Its preliminary cost is estimated at Rs 77 crore.

The designs had been under preparation for about a year but were delayed after the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) sought several changes.

The delay had affected the proposed Metro extension even though the project had already received approvals from the Centre and Maharashtra government.

MahaMetro is now awaiting a formal financial commitment from PMC towards the additional construction cost.

“We have received the corporation’s letter and have responded, asking it to bear the additional cost of construction since the flyovers will ultimately belong to the corporation,” said Atul Gadgil, Director (Works), MahaMetro.

He said the civic body had instructed MahaMetro to execute the work but had not yet confirmed the cost-sharing arrangement.

“We are waiting for a formal financial commitment from the corporation regarding the expenditure. So far they have instructed us to execute the work but have not confirmed the cost-sharing arrangement,” Gadgil said.

With the designs finalised, the project can move towards the next stages, including approvals and tendering.

The proposed extension would take the Metro network beyond Nal Stop towards Manikbaug while integrating the Metro viaduct with road infrastructure at the two locations.