NAGPUR: The expansion of the Metro’s Phase 3 is set to exceed its original limits, with plans to extend the network to New Nagpur and add an additional 5 km stretch beyond Butibori MIDC, greatly expanding the city’s future mass transit infrastructure, according to senior officials from MahaMetro speaking to TOI.
The updated plan has been integrated into the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) and submitted to the government.
Initially, Phase 3 was designed primarily as a Sitabuldi-Koradi corridor to enhance connectivity between the city center and the rapidly growing northern region. Current plans include the addition of two more corridors under Phase 3.
At present, Butibori MIDC is the endpoint of Metro Phase 2. The new proposal outlines an extra 5-km stretch extending into the Butibori industrial area to accommodate increasing industrial activity, workforce movement, and future residential developments, according to senior officials.
New Nagpur is a greenfield urban development being planned near the Samruddhi Mahamarg circle, in collaboration with the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT). “The proposed Metro alignment will branch out from the Metro City stations of Phase 2, extending towards New Nagpur, expected to become a significant residential, commercial, and institutional center in the coming years,” stated a senior official.
Sources indicate that NIT has officially shared its New Nagpur plans with MahaMetro, prompting the latter to align its long-term network expansion with the proposed master plan. Although the expanded Phase 3 concept plan is ready, procedural timelines are currently hindered by the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) due to the upcoming Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections. MahaMetro will await the conclusion of the MCC before proceeding with additional actions.
Officials have mentioned that tenders for preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the newly included corridors will be issued immediately after the MCC is lifted, which is expected to happen within a month.
