Hinjawadi to Shivajinagar in Just 45 Minutes? Pune Metro Line 3 To Open By August 2026
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Hinjawadi, 18th June 2026: Pune Metro Line 3, also known as the Puneri Metro, has successfully completed end-to-end trial runs across its entire corridor, marking a significant milestone towards the commencement of commercial operations.
The 23-kilometre fully elevated metro corridor connecting Hinjawadi with Shivajinagar has now entered its final phase of readiness towards starting revenue operations and expected to open by August 2026. In first phase, Hinjawadi to Baner will open in mid July and remaining by August excluding few stations.
The project has achieved all major construction and systems milestones. Viaduct construction has been completed across the entire corridor, all 23-metro station box are ready, and entry–exit/finished works are in advanced stages. The track laying, third rail electrification and signaling systems have been completed for the entire corridor. The RDSO oscillation trials for the rolling stock have been completed and the approval from Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) and Ministry of Railway (MOR) has been obtained for rolling stock for a maximum operating speed of 85 KMPH. The successful completion of end-to-end trial runs further demonstrates the corridor’s operational readiness ahead of passenger services.
The corridor will be commissioned in a phased manner. In the first phase, the 13.3-kilometre stretch between Maan and R. K. Laxman Museum comprising 12 stations will be ready for opening by June’26 upon receipt of the requisite statutory approvals. In the subsequent phase, the corridor will be extended to District Court to facilitate the integration with Maha Metro network.
Once the entire corridor becomes operational, Puneri Metro Line 3 will significantly transform urban mobility by reducing travel time between Shivajinagar and Hinjawadi to nearly 45 minutes, compared to the current travel time of about 1.5 hours, resulting in over a 50% reduction in journey time.
Speaking on the progress of the project, Anil Kumar Saini, CEO, Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL), said ” This metro corridor will redefine the way people travel across the city by providing seamless connectivity between city centre to the IT hub, two of Pune’s most important economic and commercial centres.
The corridor is expected to provide a faster, safer and sustainable mode of transport for thousands of daily commuters, particularly IT professionals, students and residents travelling along one of Pune’s busiest mobility corridors. The corridor is expected to reduce the congestion on roads and encourage mobility shift from fossil fuel vehicles to sustainable public transport. The corridor will also foster Government of Maharashtra’s vision of transforming the region into a globally competitive manufacturing and GCC hub.”
The project is equipped with state-of-the-art metro rail technologies including Communications Based Train Control (CBTC), modern Make in India rolling stock, and smart ticketing systems. The project has undertaken various initiatives on sustainability like roof top solar panels, rainwater harvesting, EV charging points, solid waste management, last mile connectivity etc.
Demonstrating its commitment to promoting gender inclusion, Pune Metro Line 3 trains will be operated by an all-women cadre of trained train operators. Keolis, the Operations and Maintenance partner for the project, has recruited nearly 100 women train operators, making it a landmark initiative in fostering greater participation of women in urban public transport.
