Pune Metro’s Hinjawadi to Shivajinagar Route Faces Fresh Delay, Now Expected to Begin Operations in 2026

Shivajinagar, 12th April 2025: The much-anticipated Pune Metro Line 3, designed to link Shivajinagar with Hinjewadi, is now unlikely to become operational before 2026, adding to a series of delays in one of the city’s major urban transport projects.

The 23-kilometre elevated route, being implemented by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) under a public-private partnership (PPP), was originally slated for completion in 2024.
The deadline was subsequently pushed to September 2025. However, officials involved in the project now suggest that full-scale metro services may not begin until early 2026.

Currently, around 83% to 85% of the construction has been completed. However, significant work remains pending, particularly at the crucial University Chowk junction, where an integrated flyover, ramps, and deck slabs are still under development. The project’s concessionaire has sought an extension until December 2025 to wrap up the remaining civil works.

Trial runs, which are mandatory before the metro can be opened to the public, can only begin after the completion of these major structural components. These test operations are expected to take at least two to two-and-a-half months, pushing the tentative start of passenger services into the following year.

The project has encountered multiple challenges, including protracted land acquisition processes, delays in relocating utilities, and bureaucratic bottlenecks. Notably, a key land parcel at Raj Bhavan was only recently handed over, while some utility-related work is still ongoing.

Commuters and residents along the corridor have expressed frustration over the prolonged timeline and daily disruptions caused by ongoing construction. Local civic groups have also criticized the authorities for the lack of timely execution, citing increased traffic congestion and reduced accessibility as major concerns.

Despite the delays, PMRDA officials maintain that Metro Line 3 will significantly enhance public transport connectivity between Pune’s core city areas and the bustling IT hub of Hinjewadi. The project is expected to ease road traffic, reduce travel time, and improve the overall commuting experience once operational.