Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar Metro Project Targeting August Commissioning.

After missing multiple deadlines over the past two years, Pune’s long-awaited Metro Line 3 connecting Hinjewadi and Shivajinagar now appears on track for commissioning in August 2026, with the first phase comprising 12 stations expected to be ready by the end of June.

Officials of Pune IT City Metro Rail Ltd (PITCMRL), the concessionaire executing the project for the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), said all major civil and systems works on the 23-km fully elevated corridor have been completed and end-to-end trial runs have been successfully conducted across the entire route.

The first phase covers a 13.3-km stretch between Maan and RK Laxman Museum station and includes 12 stations. Officials said the segment is expected to receive statutory and safety clearances by the end of June, after which the state government will decide the date for the commencement of passenger services.

“All 12 stations in the first phase will be ready by this month-end. The date for commencement of passenger services will be decided by the state government after the requisite approvals are obtained,” said Anil Kumar Saini, chief executive officer of PITCMRL.

The remaining section of the corridor will be opened in the next phase up to Civil Court Metro station, enabling integration with the existing Maha Metro network. Officials said while station infrastructure is largely complete, four stations are still undergoing final entry and exit works. Barring these, end-to-end operations are expected to begin in August, subject to safety approvals. Services will operate between 6 am and 11:30 pm, in line with other Pune Metro lines.

Once fully operational, Metro Line 3 is expected to cut travel time between Shivajinagar and Hinjewadi to around 45 minutes from over 90 minutes during peak traffic, reducing journey time by more than half. The corridor is expected to benefit thousands of daily commuters, particularly IT professionals travelling to Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi.

Saini said the project would redefine urban mobility by offering faster, safer and more sustainable transport, reducing congestion and encouraging a shift away from private vehicles. He added that the corridor aligns with the state’s broader vision of developing the Pune region into a global manufacturing and Global Capability Centre (GCC) hub through improved connectivity.

Metro Line 3, which began construction in 2021, is India’s first metro corridor being implemented under the Centre’s New Metro Policy, 2017 through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The project has faced repeated delays, missing at least five earlier deadlines.

According to PITCMRL, all key construction and systems milestones have now been achieved. Viaduct construction is complete across the corridor, while track laying, third-rail electrification and signalling systems have been installed throughout the route. All 23 stations are in advanced stages of completion.

The project has also completed oscillation trials conducted by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO). Officials said approvals have been obtained from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) and the Union Railways Ministry for operations at speeds of up to 85 kmph.

For the first phase, 18 coaches configured into three-car train sets will be deployed. The corridor will operate using Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) technology, smart ticketing systems and indigenously manufactured rolling stock under the Make in India initiative.

Officials said the corridor is expected to become a major transport backbone for Pune’s western growth region, offering a reliable alternative to one of the city’s most congested road stretches and improving last-mile connectivity.