The PMRDA has directed the concessionaire executing the Metro Line 3 work in the city to submit a micro plan for finishing the 23km route in time, ahead of a Central govt meeting this week regarding viability gap funding for the project. With Central govt committing to the viability gap funding (an allocated percentage of funds for certain infrastructure projects), for the project, a progress report has to be submitted in the meeting, said officials. Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) commissioner Yogesh Mhase confirmed to TOI after a meeting on Tuesday, "A detailed micro plan has been sought from Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL) to complete the entire project by March 2025." The concessionaire, PITCMRL, was earlier served two show-cause notices for not repairing the roads along route where work for the Metro Line 3 is ongoing. Mhase said, "Only 10-12% of the work is remaining, and we were assured that it would be completed on time. However, there are several issues regarding potholes and manholes along the stretch that needed to be addressed. Now, almost all issues have been tackled and PITCMRL has assured that care will be taken going ahead." The detailed micro plan is sought from the concessionaire for the 1.7km integrated flyover from SPPU Chowk to E-Square Junction by Oct 7. The integrated flyover is part of the 23km Metro line, and its deadline for completion was Nov-end. PMRDA had issued a show-cause notice to PITCMRL, directing it to immediately carry out road repair work on Ganeshkhind Road, which is besieged by road quality and traffic issues for a while now. Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar had also personally inspected the stretch on Sept 26. With ongoing Metro work and bad quality of roads alongside it leading to massive traffic jams, repair and maintenance of roads and drainage lines on the route needs to be done immediately, PMRDA told PITCMRL. After the inspection, Ajit Pawar also called for the police to allow round-the-clock work for the Metro line even on public holidays and other govt holidays to speed up the work.
