RailEnquiry

PUNE: Various citizens groups who have been pressing for sustainable transport alternatives in the city have asked questions to the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Union urban development ministry about the actual implementation of the proposed metro rail project between Vanaz and Ramwadi.The groups said they are not against any mass transport system project (BRT, mono rail, metro). However, in their study, the groups claimed that several vital issues which are area specific have not been addressed about the metro project on the Vanaz-Ramwadi route.The groups have questioned whether metro columns and metro stations can be physically constructed at planned locations after required demolition of buildings and land acquisition. These issues become especially important as elevated metro has been proposed on the Vanaz - Ramwadi corridor which passes through fully developed areas and highly congested arterial roads of the city where further road widening is not possible and alternative roads for traffic diversion are also not available'', the groups said in their memorandum.The groups including Parisar, Pedestrians First, PMP Pravasi Manch, National Society for Clean Cities said Karve road has uneven road width which is insufficient even for existing traffic, especially from Nal stop junction area onwards. How will the metro stations and metro pillars in the area be accommodated in the inadequate space available'', they said. They also pointed out that Karve road is the main arterial link. Will the reduced road width (after metro columns and stations) be sufficient for this traffic volume'', the groups said.