Pune Metro Line 3 nears commercial launch
Pune Metro Line 3, the city’s first metro project developed under the Government of India’s New Metro Policy, 2017, through a public-private partnership model, is on the verge of commencing commercial operations after completing end-to-end trial runs across its entire 23-km elevated corridor linking Hinjawadi and Shivajinagar.
The completion of full-corridor trials marks a major milestone for the project, which is expected to transform urban mobility in Pune by providing faster and more reliable connectivity between the city centre and its key IT hub. Once fully operational, the metro will reduce travel time between Shivajinagar and Hinjawadi to around 45 minutes from the current 90 minutes, cutting the journey by more than 50 per cent.
Project authorities said all major construction- and systems-related milestones have been achieved. Viaduct construction has been completed along the entire route, all 23 station structures are ready, and entry and exit works are in advanced stages. Track laying, third-rail electrification and signalling systems have also been completed across the corridor.
The rolling stock has successfully undergone Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) oscillation trials and received approvals from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) and the Ministry of Railways for operations at a maximum speed of 85 kmph. The successful trial runs have further demonstrated the corridor’s readiness for passenger services.
The metro line will be opened in phases: The first phase will cover a 13.3-km stretch between Maan and RK Laxman Museum, comprising 12 stations, and is expected to be ready for opening by June 2026, subject to statutory approvals. In the next phase, the line will be extended to District Court station, enabling integration with the Maha Metro network.
Anil Kumar Saini, CEO of Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL), said the corridor would offer a faster, safer and sustainable mode of transport for thousands of commuters, particularly IT professionals, students and residents.
The project is equipped with Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC), Make in India rolling stock, and smart ticketing systems. Sustainability measures include rooftop solar panels, rainwater harvesting, EV charging points, solid waste management and last-mile connectivity solutions.
As part of a notable gender inclusion initiative, metro services will be operated by an all-women cadre of train operators. Keolis, the operations and maintenance partner, has already recruited nearly 100 women train operators for the project.
