PUNE: The completion of the 23-km third Metro corridor, which connects Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar, is unlikely to meet its target of March-end. Officials from the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) now suggest that full passenger services may not commence until June or July.
This project, developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) with Tata Group-led Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited, is currently approximately 94% complete. Initially, the project was set for completion by the end of March, with operations beginning in April after trial runs.
“While trial runs are underway, significant work remains, especially at various stations,” noted a senior PMRDA official.
Of the 23 stations along the corridor—extending from Maan to the MITCON Institute of Management—13 have been completed. Work continues on the remaining stations, with around 15 to 17 nearing 90% completion. Officials are intensifying efforts to expedite the remaining tasks along the route.
Senior PMRDA officials confirmed trial runs are ongoing throughout the full alignment. However, passenger services will only start after the concessionaire officially confirms operational readiness and all necessary approvals are obtained.
“We are awaiting the final letter from the concessionaire regarding operations,” an official stated, adding that a timeline will be decided once the operator verifies readiness.
There has been some discussion about opening the corridor in phases, but transport experts argue that the PPP structure complicates partial operations.
“In a PPP-concession arrangement, operating only a segment of the corridor is not financially or operationally feasible,” said a transport planning expert familiar with the project.
Officials have indicated that a more pragmatic approach would be to commence services along the entire route, while temporarily closing a few stations if their finishing touches are incomplete.
Residents have expressed frustration over the repeated deadline extensions, though many prioritize safety and thorough testing over adhering to political timelines.
Rohan Kulkarni, an IT professional from Baner, commented, “Commuters have been faced with revised deadlines for years, naturally leading to frustration due to the heavy traffic in this area. It’s better to begin services only after thorough testing and approvals, rather than rushing to meet a political deadline, which could lead to bigger issues later.”
A Wakad resident echoed these sentiments, stating, “While the delay is disappointing, caution is necessary. People are eager for the Metro, as it would significantly enhance daily travel, but operations should only start when the system is completely prepared and safe.”
The corridor will be the first fully elevated Metro line in India developed under a PPP model.
Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol reviewed the project’s status earlier, noting that 13 stations are expected to be operational by April 2026, with work at several others nearing completion. He has also instructed officials to prepare a detailed project report for a new Metro line connecting Khadakwasla and Hinjewadi, as part of plans for network expansion.
