Pune Metro Line 3 Likely to Begin Operations by Year-End, Trial Runs Expected in October

Pune: The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA)’s Metro Line 3 is now expected to be operational by the end of this year, as the private concessionaire executing the project has requested an extension until September for completion.

With two metro coaches already delivered, officials anticipate that trial runs will commence in October or November, once the construction work concludes in September. However, authorities are still evaluating the request for a timeline extension, and an earlier completion appears unlikely.

“At present, around 83-85% of the work has been completed. The integrated flyover at University Chowk is scheduled for completion by April,” said a senior PMRDA official.

Despite ongoing efforts to accelerate progress, some challenges remain. The last land parcel at Raj Bhavan is yet to be handed over, and utility shifting in certain areas is still pending. Officials clarified that coach trial runs can only begin post-September, requiring at least two months before the metro can commence operations.

“Typically, trial runs take about two to two-and-a-half months. The actual timeline will depend on the completion date, after which the remaining steps will align accordingly,” the official added.

Initially, the Metro Line 3 was slated for completion by March 2025. The 23-km corridor, which will feature 23 stations, has already achieved 85% overall completion. However, the integrated flyover, stretching from University Chowk to the E-Square junction, remains under construction, with ramp installations still ongoing.

“The integrated flyover is a crucial part of the project. We cannot begin operations until it is fully completed,” said a source close to the project.

Earlier this year, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar conducted multiple reviews and urged the concessionaire to fast-track the work. Officials cited heavy traffic congestion along the metro corridor as a key challenge slowing down flyover construction, despite frequent monitoring of progress.

The ₹8,313 crore project is being developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with 12 out of the planned 23 stations currently under construction.