First TBM reaches Pune for Swargate-Katraj underground Metro; tunnelling to begin in January

Pune, Nov 4, 2026: Work on the underground extension that will take the Pimpri Chinchwad-Swargate Metro corridor to Katraj is expected to begin in January. The project needs four tunnel boring machines (TBMs), and the first of them has now reached Pune.

The machine will be put to work only once the launching shaft at Swargate is ready. As soon as the shaft is complete, the TBM will be assembled there, lowered down and excavation will begin.

The entire 5.46-km stretch from Swargate to Katraj will be underground. Tunnelling will be carried out from both ends at the same time, with two TBMs working from the Swargate side and two from the Katraj side. All four machines are expected to meet at Padmavati.

As the route runs through rocky ground, Mahametro has set a target of about 10 metres of tunnel a day for each TBM. According to Mahametro, the target is based on experience gained in building the first phase of the Metro. The machines will work about 28 metres below the ground surface.

Work on the launching shafts needed for the underground construction is already under way. Excavation of the shaft has begun at Market Yard station. Machinery and equipment needed for tunnelling and other construction will be lowered through these shafts.

The extension will take the Metro directly to Katraj, and is expected to improve Metro access in south Pune. Commuters at Katraj, Market Yard and Padmavati will benefit from the expanded network. It is also expected to help ease traffic congestion in the southern parts of the city.

The January start depends on the Swargate shaft being ready. The first machine is in the city, and the project will need three more TBMs, as the plan is to run four machines at once from both ends.