Pune: Groundwork has finally begun on the proposed 1.5km-long elevated Metro extension between Vanaz and Chandni Chowk, marking a key step in extending the Metro services to the city’s western entry point. Approved last year, the section will have two stations — Kothrud Depot and Chandni Chowk.Maha Metro officials said the construction would be carried out in phases, with barricading installed in coordination with the traffic police. Measures would be taken to ensure maximum road space remained available for vehicular movement on both sides during the work, they said.An agency was appointed last month to construct the viaduct and the two stations on the stretch. A flyover has also been proposed near the Kothrud Depot area and will be built alongside the Metro viaduct. Over the past few months, Maha Metro officials conducted field visits with Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) representatives to finalise station locations and entry-exit points.An official said groundwork has begin in the Chandni Chowk area, including soil testing and surveys. “The existing viaduct near the Vanaz depot has already been extended by a few metres. Construction of the new viaduct towards Chandni Chowk will start from this point. We are also finalising the design of a foot overbridge (FOB) at Chandni Chowk to provide commuters safe access from the main highway. The FOB is an integral part of the project,” the official said.Residents welcomed the development. Samir Tambe, a Bavdhan resident, said the absence of a Metro connection up to Chandni Chowk had been a major limitation for people in the area. “I often travel to Vanaz station by bike or autotickshaw just to access the Metro,” he said.Echoing similar views, Kothrud resident Vinod Khaire said, “It never made sense to plan the Metro only up to Vanaz without including the Vanaz-Chandni Chowk stretch in the initial phase.”The regular commuters have demanded that the Vanaz-Chandni chowk stretch should be completed at earliest.
