Hinjewadi Metro Operations Likely to Be Delayed as Safety Clearance Remains Pending.

The first phase of the Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar Metro corridor is likely to miss its July 15 launch target as authorities await the final safety clearance from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS).

The mandatory CMRS inspection for the 12-station stretch between Maan and Balewadi has been completed, but commercial operations can begin only after the safety report is submitted and the final certificate is issued.

Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) Commissioner Abhijit Chaudhari said the metro rollout would take at least 15 days after receiving the CMRS report.

"Once the report is received, it will take at least 15 days for the official rollout. I will also visit all 12 stations to ensure any remaining work is completed before services are launched," Chaudhari said.

The 23-km corridor has faced multiple delays and has missed five completion deadlines so far. In March, the Maharashtra government decided on a phased launch, prioritising the Maan-Balewadi section for the July 15 opening, while the remaining stations were planned for a later phase.

The recent CMRS inspection was the final statutory safety check for the corridor, following preliminary inspections conducted in May. A launch date will be finalised in consultation with the state government once the safety clearance is received.

The project timeline has undergone several revisions. Earlier this year, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced that the corridor would open in two phases, with the first phase targeted for May and the second for July. The May deadline was later shifted to the end of June and subsequently to July 15. With the safety certification still pending, the latest deadline is now expected to be delayed.