Service on Pune Metro Line 3 is now set to begin by June 15, officials said, with operations to roll out in phases starting with 12 of the total 23 Metro stations from the Hinjewadi end.
The Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar corridor, among the city’s most anticipated transit projects, was initially slated to open by May 31 but has been pushed back slightly. Abhijeet Chaudhari of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority confirmed that the revised timeline places the launch in mid-June.
Project Overview And Significance
According to a report in The Indian Express, the elevated corridor spans 23.203 km, linking Hinjewadi’s major IT hub with Shivajinagar, a key commercial and transit centre in Pune.
Once fully operational, the line is expected to significantly cut travel time between
these high-traffic zones, offering relief to lakhs of daily commuters who currently face heavy congestion on arterial roads.
The project is also expected to support the growing residential population in Hinjewadi, where rapid urban development has increased the demand for efficient public transport.
- Phased Rollout Plan: The Metro line will be opened in stages to ensure smooth operations and timely completion of remaining infrastructure.
- Phase 1 (By June 15): Operations will begin on 12 stations from the Hinjewadi side. Trial runs across the full corridor have already been successfully completed.
- Full Operations (By October): The remaining 11 stations, primarily on the Shivajinagar side, are currently under construction and are expected to be ready by October. Once completed, services will run along the entire stretch.
Connectivity With Existing Metro Lines
Once operational up to Shivajinagar, Line 3 will integrate with Pune’s existing Metro network, including:
- Line 1 (PCMC to Swargate)
- Line 2 (Vanaz to Ramwadi)
Both these lines are also undergoing extensions, which will further strengthen citywide connectivity and create a more seamless transit network.
India’s First PPP-Based Metro Project
The Pune Metro Line 3 project, also known as ‘Puneri Metro’, holds significance as India’s first Metro developed under a public-private partnership model. It is being executed by Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited, a special purpose vehicle formed through a joint venture between the Tata Group and Siemens.
Authorities have indicated that details regarding train schedules and fare structures will be released closer to the commencement date.
Operations And Maintenance
The responsibility for operations and maintenance has been entrusted to Keolis, which will manage:
- 22 metro trains
- 23 stations
- Ticketing systems
The contract covers a period of 10 years, ensuring long-term operational efficiency.
Stations Opening In Phase 1
The first set of operational stations to open by June 15 will include:
- Megapolis Society (Maan)
- Quadron Business Park
- Dohler, Infosys Phase 2
- Wipro Technologies Phase 2
- Pall India
- Shivaji Chowk
- Courtyard by Marriott
- Wakad Chowk
- Balewadi Stadium
- Orchid Hotel
- Ramnagar
Stations To Open In October
The remaining stations expected to become operational later include:
- High Street
- Balewadi Phata
- Baner Gaon
- Baner
- Krushi Anussandhan
- YASHADA
- Savitribai Phule Pune University
- RBI
- Agriculture College
- Shivajinagar
- District and Sessions Court
With its phased rollout, Line 3 is poised to transform daily commuting between Pune’s IT corridor and central districts.
By reducing dependence on road transport and integrating with existing Metro lines, the project is expected to ease congestion, improve travel reliability, and enhance urban mobility across the city.
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