Pune Metro completes 50 percent work before COVID-19 lock down

Pune, India (Urban Transport News): The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) has recently tweeted that a total of 49.64% excavation is completed for both underground & elevated stations of Pune Metro Rail project. Tunneling of the northern end of the underground metro station is in progress by a special technique New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).

Due to ongoing lockdown, the work on the remaining 50.36% work halted and causing the delay of at least a month. Only essential work was underway at select locations, said Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro) officials. Maha Metro had set a deadline to fully operationalize the 5km priority stretch between the Sant Tukaramnagar and Phugewadi stations in March-end, which come under the PCMC-Swargate line of Pune Metro Rail project.

According to officials, the works on Vanaz - Garware college section was expected to be completed by June but the ongoing lockdown will push all the deadline by a month to a month-and-a-half. “Work had been in full swing till the beginning of March. It then began to slow down, first because of the coronavirus and then the consequent shutdown. Even plans to start new work have been put on hold till further notice. However, planning and other works related to the project are going on,” said an official, reported by TOI.

The slowdown’s impact is likely to be felt even in April, as the government has extended the lockdown till mid-April. The most recent prohibitory orders, such as restrictions on assembly of five or more people and social distancing have hampered the work at many locations.

Due to lockdown in the state, some workers have gone back to their home towns, while the Corporation is ensuring safety measures for those that stayed at worksite.

Adequate arrangements have been made in Pune at casting yards and other locations. We are providing all the necessary assistance to the workers. Protective equipment is also available for them to avoid contracting coronavirus.

According to the original plan, the Corporation hoped to complete the work on Sant Tukaramnagar-Phugewadi section by the end of March. Most of the work on constrcution of viaduct was expected to be completed by June. However, Maha Metro is working on revising the plan and will expedite the work once the restrictions are eased.