‘E-RTS’ Project to Get a Major Push; CM Fadnavis Gives ‘Green Signal’

• Abhishek Barne’s Follow-up Pays Off; Implementation Process to Gain Momentum
• Citizens to Get Modern, Faster and Environment-Friendly Public Transport

PIMPRI : The ambitious Electric Rapid Transit System (E-RTS) project aimed at transforming public transport in Pimpri-Chinchwad has received a green signal from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The project is expected to provide citizens with a modern, fast, safe and environment-friendly public transport facility.

Standing Committee Chairman Abhishek Barne had directed the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) administration to prepare a detailed report on the project and submit it to the state government. Accordingly, PCMC Commissioner Dr Vijay Suryawanshi presented the E-RTS project at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Fadnavis at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai.

Fadnavis directed the administration to initiate the necessary administrative, technical and planning procedures for implementing the project.

The meeting also discussed the development of the High Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR) and E-RTS system in view of the rapidly increasing population, urbanisation and growing traffic pressure in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.

The E-RTS is proposed as a metro-like, rapid, safe and comfortable public transport system using fully electric rubber-tyred vehicles. Each vehicle will have a capacity to carry more than 240 passengers.

17-km Route Proposed in First Phase

In the first phase, an approximately 17-km pilot corridor has been proposed from Godown Chowk–Kudalwadi Chowk–Auto Cluster–Kalewadi Phata–Jagtap Dairy Chowk–Wakad. The project is planned to be implemented on a pilot basis in collaboration with Maha-Metro within around one to one-and-a-half years. After the successful completion of the pilot project, the E-RTS is proposed to be expanded in phases along the HCMTR and existing BRT routes in the city. The system will also be integrated with the Metro, railway and other public transport networks to provide citizens with seamless, faster and convenient connectivity.

E-RTS PROJECT AT A GLANCE
Project : Electric Rapid Transit System (E-RTS)
First Phase : Approximately 17 km
Proposed Route : Godown Chowk – Kudalwadi Chowk– Auto Cluster
Kalewadi Phata – Jagtap Dairy Chowk – Wakad
Vehicle Type : Fully electric, rubber-tyred vehicles
Capacity : More than 240 passengers per vehicle
Implementation : Pilot project in collaboration with Maha-Metro
Expected Timeline : Around 1 to 1.5 years
Future Expansion : HCMTR and BRT corridors
Connectivity : Metro, railway and other public transport systems

Chairman Abhishek Barne to Approve Project Expenditure

Barne’s follow-up and directions to the administration to prepare a detailed project report and present it before the state government have helped push the project towards a crucial stage. The E-RTS proposal is currently awaiting approval before the Standing Committee. Once Chairman Barne grants approval at the upcoming meeting, the process for implementing the project is expected to move forward. The project is being viewed as a significant step towards strengthening Pimpri-Chinchwad’s public transport network while reducing dependence on conventional fuel-based vehicles and promoting cleaner urban mobility.