Despite the Finance Minister’s announcement of the Nashik Metro project in the 2021 budget, no substantial progress has been made in the past four years. MP Rajabhau Waje has raised concerns over the delay and has urged Union Housing and Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to expedite the project, emphasising the need for completion before the upcoming Kumbh Mela.
The Nashik Metro project, announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, was to be implemented by the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited at an estimated cost of Rs. 22,100 crore. The plan included a 32-kilometre metro line with 32 stations. However, MP Waje pointed out that, beyond the initial announcement, no significant steps have been taken towards its execution.
With the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela expected to significantly increase pressure on Nashik’s public transport system, MP Waje stressed the urgency of the metro project. He highlighted the city's rapid expansion, rising traffic congestion and growing transportation needs, arguing that a metro system is essential for Nashik’s development and mobility.
For the past six months, MP Waje has been actively following up on the matter, pushing both the central and state governments to accelerate the metro's implementation. He reiterated that Nashik's increasing population and urban growth necessitate immediate action to address transportation challenges and urged authorities to take decisive steps towards launching the metro project without further delay.