Abstract—The increasing levels of congestion on Pune road network coupled with high private vehicle usage prompted the planners and the implementing agencies to go for transportation infrastructure improvements. The planners have realized the fact that there should be a phenomenal change in the existing transportation system that would investigate a substantial shift from Private vehicles to Public Transit. Thus a need for an appropriate Mass Transit system was felt and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was entrusted with preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for identifying the potential corridors for implementation of Metro Rail system in Pune. This paper critically reviews and analyzes the decision making systems behind the proposed Pune metro rail system and its detailed project report, and exposes many weaknesses in both. The decision making system is seen to be ad hoc, and not sufficiently transparent or participative. The detailed project report suffers from many serious methodological and analytical errors. This analysis and experience from other cities suggests that cities are increasingly seeking single large, big budget solutions to their urban transport problems without exploring the many simpler, cheaper and more effective options that are available.

Index Terms—Mass Transit, Metro Rail, Infrastructure, DMRC, etc.

Cite: W. N. Deulkar and A. F. Shaikh, "Pune Metro Rail Project: A Review," International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp.109-117, February 2015.