Pune’s Hinjawadi Metro Is Ready, But Awaits Inauguration Date by PM Modi or CM Fadnavis
Hinjawadi, 15th August 2026: The first phase of Pune’s much-awaited Metro Line 3, connecting the Hinjawadi IT hub to Baner, stands fully prepared for passenger operations after receiving critical safety clearance nearly a month ago, but the formal launch continues to await a green light from the Chief Minister’s Office, with officials gearing up for a possible high-profile inauguration that could involve Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On July 23, the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) granted provisional authorisation for the approximately 13-km elevated stretch from Maan station in Hinjewadi to the R.K. Laxman Museum station in Balewadi, covering 12 stations. This followed detailed inspections, trial runs, and compliance with safety observations. Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) officials confirmed that remaining formalities were completed and that the stretch is ready to carry passengers.
Yet, as of mid-August, no inauguration date has been announced. “We are awaiting response for the official inauguration of Metro Line 3. It can happen any time so we are preparing for the inaugural function,” a PMRDA official said.
Preparations include security arrangements accounting for the possibility that either Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis or Prime Minister Narendra Modi could preside, reflecting the project’s significance as India’s first metro developed under a pure public-private partnership model.
The 23-km Hinjawadi–Shivajinagar corridor, also known as the Pink Line or Puneri Metro, is being implemented by Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL)—a joint venture of Tata Group and Siemens—for PMRDA at an estimated cost of around ₹8,500 crore. Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone in December 2018. Once fully operational, the line is expected to slash peak-hour travel time between Hinjawadi and the city centre from over 90 minutes to about 45 minutes, offering major relief to thousands of IT professionals and daily commuters.
The project has faced repeated delays beyond original timelines. Earlier projections had targeted a mid-July 2026 start for the first phase, with further sections following. The remaining stretch toward Shivajinagar is planned for phased opening, with the entire corridor targeted for completion by around March 2027. Train services on the initial section are expected to mirror existing Pune Metro lines, operating from approximately 6 am to 11:30 pm with frequencies of 6–7 minutes.
Opposition voices, including Congress leaders, have criticised the wait, alleging political considerations are holding up public service. Commuter groups and IT sector representatives have similarly called for operations to begin promptly rather than tying them exclusively to a ceremonial event.
PMRDA and PITCMRL have emphasised that the project will deliver safe, sustainable, and efficient transit while integrating with Maha-Metro’s Purple and Aqua lines at the District Court interchange. With infrastructure, systems, and rolling stock in place, the only remaining step is the official go-ahead for the inaugural run that Pune’s IT corridor has long awaited.
