Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar corridor work to start soon

Pune: The work on the elevated Metro corridor between Hinjewadi and Shivajinagar could gain momentum soon.
Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) commissioner Vikram Kumar said the talks with the central and the state government authorities to transfer land for the project had been successful and it should be completed soon. “Less than 4 hectares of land has to be acquired for this stretch,” he said.
The work on the project remained a non-starter over a month after the formal concession agreement was signed with Tata Realty and Infrastructure Limited and Siemens Project Ventures because it was yet to get the possession of 100% government land.The agreement was signed hours before the announcement of the state assembly elections on September 21.
According to officials, there is a six-month window till March for handing over 100% government land to be acquired for the project. The project work can start officially after the land is handed over to the concessionaire on an appointed date.
The PMRDA commissioner said, the project should be completed within the designated time frame of three years barring on two stretches — University circle and civil court. The first phase of the project of 8km from Hinjewadi to Balewadi would be completed by next year.
According to officials, utmost care is being taken to ensure minimal impact on vehicular movement during the project construction phase. The PMRDA, in coordination with the concessionaire Tata and Siemens and government bodies, has planned alternative routes and diversions.
The project is being developed on design, build, finance, operate and transfer mode with the initial concession period of 35 years. The consortium of 74:26 (Tata and Siemens) will take a share of the profit for the first 20 years. It will part with some share from the 21st year.