Pune: Deadline for Shivajinagar-Hinjewadi Metro Extended Again; Partial Operations Now Likely From July
Pune, 27th May 2026: The deadline for launching the much-awaited Shivajinagar-Hinjewadi Metro corridor has been pushed once again, marking yet another delay in the city’s third Metro line project. After missing multiple announced timelines over the past year, authorities are now targeting July 2026 for the start of partial operations on the route.
The 23-km Metro corridor connecting Shivajinagar to Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi is expected to significantly ease travel for lakhs of commuters, especially IT professionals travelling daily between Pune city and the IT hub.
The project is being implemented by Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) in partnership with Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited under the public-private partnership model.
The service was originally scheduled to begin in March 2025, but the launch has been repeatedly postponed due to incomplete work. More recently, authorities had planned to start operations on the first phase — between Hinjewadi and Baner — from June 15. However, that target too is now unlikely to be met, with officials shifting the proposed launch to July.
According to PMRDA officials, more than 95 per cent of the work on the first phase up to Baner has been completed. Inspection dates from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) have been received for the end of May, and safety inspections are expected to take place in late May and early June.
Officials said the approval process after the inspection may take nearly a month, making a July launch more feasible. However, no specific launch date has yet been finalised.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier announced that the Metro line would open in two phases, with the first phase expected in May and the second in July this year. Both earlier timelines have now been missed.
PMRDA Chief Engineer Rinaj Pathan said all procedures required for opening the first 12 stations between Maan and Ramnagar (Baner) are expected to be completed by the end of June. Based on the progress of approvals and inspections, a final decision on commencing operations in July will be taken, she said.
The second phase, covering the remaining 11 stations between High Street (Baner) and Shivajinagar, is currently targeted for opening in October.
