NAGPUR: The Nagpur Metro expansion will now include a 25km stretch along the Inner Ring Road, connecting Mankapur Chowk to Rachana Junction (Hingna T-point) as part of Phase 3. Shortly after MahaMetro issued a tender for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for this phase, it was officially confirmed that this corridor would be a part of the plan. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also validated its inclusion during a press conference on Monday.
This expansion marks Nagpur Metro’s largest undertaking to date, totaling an estimated 54.5 km, as outlined in the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) approved last July. Besides the Inner Ring Road corridor, Phase 3 consists of three other significant sections.
Phase 3 will feature the Sitabuldi–Koradi corridor (11.5 km), previously confirmed as part of the CMP’s expansion plan aimed at enhancing north-south connectivity. A proposed 3 km high-capacity route from MIDC ESR to CEAT Ltd will enhance last-mile connectivity to the Butibori–MIDC industrial zone, while a 15 km Khapri–New Nagpur corridor will connect the upcoming New Nagpur development with the existing metro network.
Collectively, these four corridors will add approximately 55 km to Nagpur Metro’s overall reach. With Phase I and II contributing nearly 84 km, the addition of Phase 3 will extend the total network to around 129 km, positioning Nagpur among the cities with the most expansive Metro systems in the nation.
The Alternative Analysis Report (AAR) and DPR will be developed over the next nine months following MoHUA guidelines, finalizing alignments, station locations, and the blend of elevated and underground sections across all Phase 3 corridors. Upon completion, the DPR will be submitted for approvals to the state government and the Centre.
The Phase 3 DPR tender was issued after the Model Code of Conduct was lifted post-NMC elections. This report will also assess the feasibility of implementing driverless Metro operations, incorporating advanced signaling and automation systems, potentially making it Nagpur’s first fully automated Metro corridor, as previously reported by TOI.
Construction of the Phase 3 corridors is expected to proceed in stages following the commissioning of Phase II, laying the groundwork for Nagpur Metro’s most ambitious expansion to date.
