PM Modi Inaugurates Pune Metro Line 3, Lays Foundation Stone for Four New Corridors Under Phase II

Hinjawadi, 3rd November 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday virtually inaugurated Pune Metro Line 3, connecting Maan-Hinjawadi to Shivajinagar, and laid the foundation stone for four new metro corridors under Pune Metro Phase II. The expansion is expected to strengthen connectivity across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and the Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR), while providing relief from traffic congestion.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Modi said the expansion of Pune Metro would give fresh momentum to the city’s development. He said the new Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar corridor would provide better connectivity to Pune’s major IT hub and strengthen links between the city’s older and newer areas.

Highlighting India’s metro expansion, Modi said the country’s operational metro network had increased from 248 km in 2014 to approximately 1,200 km, with services now available in 26 cities. More than one crore passengers travel by metro every day, making India home to one of the world’s three largest metro networks.

In Maharashtra, the operational metro network has expanded from just 10-11 km in 2014 to approximately 200 km, while work on more than 680 km of additional routes is underway. Investments exceeding Rs 2.5 lakh crore have been made in metro infrastructure across the state, he said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in developing urban infrastructure. He said modern public transport systems save commuting time, improve productivity and contribute to economic growth.

Modi also assured farmers affected by adverse weather conditions in Maharashtra of assistance from the Central and State governments. He appealed to citizens to support drought-affected and distressed farming families during Diwali.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and the PMR region would emerge as a major mobility hub in the country by 2030. He said several infrastructure projects, including metro corridors, electric buses, inner and outer ring roads, tunnels and a new airport, were being developed to improve connectivity.

Highlighting the challenges faced by employees travelling to Hinjawadi, Fadnavis said thousands of IT professionals spend one to two hours in traffic congestion every day. The new metro corridor would provide significant relief, particularly to employees working in the IT sector.

He recalled that Prime Minister Modi had laid the foundation stone for the project in 2018 and said it was a matter of satisfaction that the same project was being inaugurated by him.

Fadnavis added that Pune Metro Line 3 was the country’s first metro project developed under the Public-Private Partnership model. Tata Projects and Siemens executed the project under the Design-Build-Operate-Transfer (DBOT) framework. He also described it as a ‘Pink Powered’ metro, highlighting the significant participation of women in its construction and operations.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said Metro Line 3 would play an important role in reducing traffic congestion and making daily commuting faster, safer and more comfortable. He described the project as a major milestone for Pune’s public transport system and said the government was committed to developing a modern, traffic congestion-free city.

He also acknowledged the contribution of late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to Pune’s development and said more than 90 lakh passengers had travelled by Pune Metro so far.

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar said Pune Metro Line 3 would become India’s first 100 per cent women-operated metro corridor. Around 100 women train pilots and women employees accounting for 50 per cent of the workforce at metro stations will be involved in its operations.

She said the Rs 8,313-crore project was developed under the PPP model. She also highlighted Ajit Pawar’s contribution to the preparation and approval of the metro project’s Detailed Project Reports and the allocation of funds.

Sunetra Pawar said four additional corridors under Phase II, spanning 31 km with 28 stations, had received approval from the Union Cabinet at an estimated cost of Rs 9,858 crore. These corridors will improve connectivity to areas including Chandani Chowk, Kothrud, Bavdhan, Viman Nagar, Kharadi and Wagholi. Once all the proposed projects are completed, Pune Metro’s network will extend beyond 100 km.

She further said that road development works worth Rs 426 crore had been approved to improve access to metro stations in Hinjawadi, Maan and Marunji.

Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol described the inauguration as a historic milestone for Pune. He said the 23-km Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar corridor would expand Pune Metro’s network to approximately 55 km and benefit IT professionals and lakhs of commuters.

Mohol said Pune Metro recorded 9,58,603 passenger journeys in September, reflecting its growing importance in the city’s public transport system.

The four new corridors for which foundation stones were laid include Khadakwasla-Kharadi, Vanaz-Chandani Chowk, Ramwadi-Wagholi and Manikbaug-Nal Stop. Together, these corridors will cover approximately 46 km and strengthen connectivity across the eastern, western and southern parts of Pune.

PMRDA Commissioner Dr Abhijeet Chaudhary delivered the introductory address and briefed the gathering about the project.

The programme was attended by Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Union Minister Manohar Lal (virtually), Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol, Minister Chandrakant Patil, Minister of State Madhuri Misal, Pune Mayor Manjusha Nagpure, Pimpri-Chinchwad Mayor Ravi Landge and MP Shrirang Barne, among other dignitaries.

Key Features of Pune Metro Line 3

Pune Metro Line 3 is a 23.203-km-long elevated corridor connecting Maan-Hinjawadi to Shivajinagar, with 23 elevated stations. Developed at a cost of Rs 8,313 crore under the PPP-DBFOT model, the project directly connects Hinjawadi’s IT hub with Shivajinagar.

The corridor will have around 90 women train operators, while women will account for 50 per cent of the workforce. The project is expected to provide faster, safer and more convenient commuting options for thousands of IT professionals and other passengers.