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Building Pune: PMRDA urges to start Metro services from Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar by year-end, PITCMRL says work will be over only by March 2026

Fourth trial run on Pune Metro Line 3 stretch of Maan-Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar was done successfully.

The trial run was held from Maan depot to Station No 10 at Balewadi stadium, which would significantly ease the traffic, especially in IT-heavy areas, once operational, he said, adding the target is to launch the service in March 2026.

To mitigate the traffic hassles faced by those commuting to and from Hinjewadi Information Technology Park, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has urged the authorities to expedite the work between Maan-Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar on Pune Metro Line 3 so as to make services operational by the end of December.

However, Pune City IT Metro Rail Ltd (PITCMRL), the company that is carrying out the work, has reportedly said that it would be able to finish the work only by the end of March next year — which is the extended deadline — although the 23.3 km route from Maan-Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar is 87 per cent completed.

“We have asked the PITCMRL to start full-fledged operations of its Metro rail service from December-end this year. We know that the work of developing stations is going on very slowly. They should speed up the work,” said Yogesh Mhase, PMRDA Commissioner.

Incidentally, the PITCMRL carried out its fourth Metro Rail trial on Wednesday by extending the trial route till Balewadi, giving rise to speculation that it might start the operation in phases instead of starting it on the entire route. “No. There is no possibility of starting Metro service on the route in phases. It will be fully operational whenever it starts,” he said.

According to PITCMRL, the work on the Metro rail 23.3 km route from Maan-Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar is 87 percent completed. “We carried out the fourth successful trial run on Pune Metro Line 3 while achieving a speed of 40 km per hour. It was on the auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturthi that the Metro rail achieved a historic milestone as it ventured out of Hinjewadi for the very first time,” said a PITCMRL officer.

The Metro route being developed under the public-private partnership between PMRDA and PITCMRL features air-conditioned 3-coach trains, with a capacity of 1,000 passengers and a top speed of 80 km per hour.

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Meanwhile, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (Maha-Metro) has proposed new routes for extending the Metro network in and around Pune city and recently submitted a detailed project report of extending service to Chakan industrial town via Wakad from Nigdi, in addition to the existing metro service route of Vanaz to Ramwadi and PCMC to Swargate. It has also sent proposals for a new route from Khadakwasla to Kharadi via Hadapsar for approval.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune, a role that reflects his seniority and editorial Authority. He is a highly specialized journalist whose work demonstrates significant Expertise in the critical areas of urban development, governance, and sustainability, often linking policy to its on-the-ground impact across Maharashtra. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Ajay Jadhav contributes to the editorial direction and maintains high standards of Trustworthiness and quality in his reporting. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on the intersection of infrastructure, politics, and social development, with expertise in: Infrastructure and Civic Issues: Provides in-depth coverage of crucial development and urban governance topics. His work includes reporting on the glaring contrast between planned infrastructure projects (like private helipads) and the lack of basic facilities (schools and hospitals) in politically significant areas, highlighting accountability gaps. Politics and Governance: Consistently reports on political developments, scrutinizing decision-making that affects public life and development initiatives in Maharashtra. Sustainable Development & Environment: Demonstrates a commitment to responsible development by reporting on initiatives that successfully protect the environment while ensuring essential infrastructure development. Investigative and Policy Impact: National Impact: Ajay has written notable research articles on Conservancy staff which achieved a nationwide impact by directly contributing to the framing of policies aimed at improving the working conditions of waste-handling laborers. This demonstrates his capacity for impactful, evidence-based journalism. Additional Interests Personal Engagement: His background as a trekker and sports enthusiast suggests a keen personal interest in the environment and outdoor spaces, which likely informs his detailed and passionate reporting on sustainable development and civic issues. Ajay Jadhav's sustained focus on governance, his track record of high-impact policy-shaping research, and his critical eye for infrastructure gaps establish him as a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis in Pune and Maharashtra. ... Read More

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