PUNE: After several delays over the past two years, the much-anticipated Metro Line 3, connecting Hinjewadi and Shivajinagar, is now set for commissioning in August 2026, with the first phase covering 12 stations expected to be completed by the end of June.
Officials from Pune IT City Metro Rail Ltd (PITCMRL), the agency responsible for the project under the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), confirmed to TOI that all major civil and systems work on the 23 km fully elevated corridor is complete, and successful end-to-end trial runs have been conducted.
The initial phase encompasses a 13.3 km stretch between Maan and RK Laxman Museum stations, including 12 stations. Necessary statutory and safety approvals are anticipated by the end of June, after which the state government will set a date for the commencement of passenger services, according to PITCMRL officials.
“All 12 stations in the first phase will be ready by the end of this month. The start date for passenger services will be determined by the state government post the required approvals,” stated Anil Kumar Saini, CEO of PITCMRL.
The remaining segments of the corridor will open in the subsequent phase, extending to the Civil Court Metro station, thereby integrating with the existing Maha Metro network. Officials noted that while the primary infrastructure is mostly finished, four stations are still completing final entry and exit works. Once this is concluded, end-to-end operations are expected to commence in August, running from 6 AM to 11:30 PM, consistent with other Pune Metro lines.
Upon full operation, Metro Line 3 is projected to reduce travel time between Shivajinagar and Hinjewadi to approximately 45 minutes, down from over 90 minutes during peak hours, benefiting thousands of daily commuters, especially IT professionals traveling to Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi.
Saini emphasized that the project will redefine urban mobility, providing seamless connectivity between Pune’s city center and its largest IT hub. The corridor aims to provide a faster, safer, and more sustainable transportation option, alleviating road congestion and promoting a shift from fossil-fuel-based private vehicles to mass public transport.
“The project aligns with the state’s broader aim of transforming the Pune region into a globally competitive manufacturing and Global Capability Centre (GCC) hub by enhancing connectivity and shortening travel times,” he added.
Metro Line 3 has faced numerous delays, missing at least five deadlines since its inception in 2021, marking it as India’s first Metro corridor being undertaken under the Centre’s New Metro Policy, 2017, via the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
PITCMRL reports that all primary construction and system milestones have now been met. The viaduct construction is complete along the entire corridor, and track laying, third-rail electrification, and signaling systems have been successfully installed. All 23 stations are nearing completion, with entry and exit works approaching finalization.
The project has successfully completed Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) oscillation trials for its rolling stock. Approvals have been secured from both the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) and the Union railways ministry to operate trains at a maximum speed of 85 km/h.
For the first phase, 18 coaches configured in three-car train sets will be utilized. The corridor will employ Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) technology, advanced ticketing systems, and locally manufactured rolling stock in accordance with the government’s Make in India initiative.
Officials indicate that the corridor is set to become a significant transport backbone for Pune’s western growth corridor, offering a reliable alternative to one of the city’s most congested road segments, and ensuring last-mile connectivity.
