Punes Metro Service from Maan-Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar Set to Launch on November 4

Pune, October 31 (Daily Kiran) : A significant development for commuters in Pune is on the horizon. The much-anticipated Pune Metro Line-3 will officially be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 3. The metro service will commence operations the following day, November 4, connecting Maan-Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar. Initially, 17 out of the 23 planned stations will be opened for public use.

The inauguration ceremony will take place at the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Mahalunge-Balewadi at 10:30 AM. Key figures including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Sunetra Ajit Pawar are expected to attend. Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) Commissioner Dr. Abhijit Chaudhary and officials from Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited shared these updates with the media.

The fully elevated metro line, stretching approximately 23.203 kilometers, will be known as the “Punerī Metro” and “Pink Line.” It will start from Maan, pass through the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi, and reach Shivajinagar. The total estimated cost of the project is ₹8,313 crores, developed under a public-private partnership model, making it the first metro project in India to adopt this approach.

The 17 stations set to open include Maan, Maan-MIDC Circle Phase-2, Maan Bus Depot, Hinjewadi Phase-2 Circle-1 and 2, Padma Bhushan Chowk, Shiv Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk, Hinjewadi Phase-1, Wakad Chowk, Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Mitcon, RK Laxman Museum, Aundh, Sakal Nagar, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Agricultural College, and District and Sessions Court stations. The remaining six stations will be completed in phases, with two expected to be operational by the end of November 2026 and the other four by January 2027.

Metro services will begin at 6 AM on November 4, with the last train leaving Maan for the District Court at 10:30 PM and from the District Court back to Maan at 11:40 PM. During peak hours, trains will run every six minutes, and every twelve minutes at other times.

The District Court station will connect to Maha Metro’s Line-1 (from Pimpri-Chinchwad to Swargate) and Line-2 (from Vanaz to Ramwadi), facilitating easier travel across the city. A unified ticketing app has also been developed for the convenience of passengers using both metro services.

Alstom will operate the metro with air-conditioned trains equipped with mobile and laptop charging facilities. Officials expect this service to alleviate traffic congestion around Hinjewadi IT Park, Aundh, Baner, Balewadi, Mahalunge, Ganeshkhind Road, and Shivajinagar, with an estimated daily ridership of 200,000 to 250,000 passengers.

Plans are in place to provide bus, auto, Ola-Uber taxi, and e-bike services to and from the metro stations. Designated pick-up and drop-off areas are being created outside the stations, along with parking facilities for two-wheelers and four-wheelers. Separate tracks for pedestrians and cyclists are also being constructed to ensure safety.

Environmental sustainability is a key focus of the project. Solar energy production capacity of 7.60 megawatts has been established at metro stations and the car depot, expected to meet around 30% of the project’s electricity needs. The use of specialized materials during construction is projected to prevent approximately 28,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, save 2,000 tons of steel, and conserve 60 million liters of water. Additionally, 5,500 new trees have been planted to compensate for those affected by the project, and 750 trees have been replanted.

Notably, nearly 100 female train pilots will operate the metro, with women making up about 50% of the total workforce, including station controllers, ticket staff, and attendants.

PMRDA officials confirmed that the entire metro line has passed inspection by the Railway Design and Standards Organization (RDSO) and received final safety approval. Approximately 350 security personnel from the Maharashtra State Security Corporation will be deployed to ensure safety at the stations.