Swargate-Katraj Metro: Tunnelling to Start in January as First of Four TBMs Reaches Pune; 5 Stations Planned

Pune, 4th November 2026: Tunnelling for the 5.46 km Swargate to Katraj underground Metro is expected to begin in January 2027, after the first of four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) reached Pune. It can start only once the launching shaft at Swargate is ready.

The line will extend Pune Metro’s Purple Line (PCMC to Swargate) south along Satara Road to Katraj, entirely underground.

How will the tunnel be dug?

Four TBMs will work at the same time, Punekar News reported. Two will bore north to south from Swargate and two from Katraj towards the city, and all four are planned to meet at Padmavati.

The tunnels will run about 28 metres below the road. Based on its experience on the first phase, Maha Metro is aiming for about 10 metres of tunnel per machine per day, with the area’s rocky ground a key factor in how fast that goes.

Shaft excavation is already under way at Market Yard. Tunnel lining segments have been cast since 12 May 2026, when Maha Metro Managing Director Shravan Hardikar started production of 6,993 tunnel rings, according to an earlier Punekar News report. The contractor is CEM India.

Which stations will the Swargate-Katraj Metro have?

Five underground stations are planned after Swargate:

• Market Yard
• Bibwewadi
• Padmavati
• Balajinagar
• Katraj

Bibwewadi and Balajinagar were not in the original plan. The state cabinet approved an extra Rs 683.11 crore in 2025 to add them, and Katraj station was moved about 420 metres south, as reported at the time.

When will the line open, and what does it cost?

The Union Cabinet approved the extension on 16 August 2024 at a total completion cost of Rs 2,954.53 crore, with a target to be operational by 2029. The two added stations increase that figure.

Maha Metro has not given a revised opening date. At the Phase II foundation stone event on 3 November, Hardikar said only that work on the Swargate-Katraj extension was under way.

What does it mean for Katraj, Dhankawadi and Bibwewadi?

Satara Road between Swargate and Katraj is one of south Pune’s most crowded roads, carrying traffic to Market Yard, Bibwewadi, Dhankawadi, Balajinagar and the Katraj bus stand. Once open, a ride from Katraj to Swargate, and on to Shivajinagar or PCMC by the Purple Line, would avoid that stretch entirely.

In the meantime, construction is visible. Barricades are already up at several points on Satara Road. Earlier reports also said PMC was considering handing about 7,000 sq ft of land at Dhankawadi to Maha Metro for a station entry and exit.

Because the line is a tunnel, most digging happens underground. The surface work is concentrated at station boxes and shafts, which is where traffic changes are most likely.

What is still not known?

• The date the first TBM will start boring from Swargate
• When the second, third and fourth machines will arrive
• Whether any Satara Road traffic diversions are planned for the shaft work
• A revised cost and opening date after the two added stations

We will update this story as Maha Metro shares these details. For the rest of the network, see our Pune Metro timings and fares guide and our report on the Rs 21,800 crore Metro projects launched on 3 November.

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