India, Sept. 17 -- The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved an estimated Rs.2,634 crore for acquiring nearly 4.98 lakh square metres of land across 15 locations for the proposed high-capacity mass transit route (HCMTR). The land acquisition proposal was approved on Wednesday by the civic standing committee. The land will be acquired in Bopodi, Aundh, Bhamburda, Erandwane, Kothrud, Hingne, Parvati, Munjeri, Wanawadi, Hadapsar, Mundhwa, Vadgaonsheri, Lohegaon, Yerawada and Dhanori.

The move follows a recent review meeting chaired by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis which directed authorities to expedite the HCMTR and inner ring road projects. At a subsequent meeting at the district collector's office on August 28, the PMC was dire...