Pune Metro Line 3 has successfully completed end-to-end trial runs across its entire corridor, marking a major milestone toward the commencement of commercial passenger operations.
The 23-kilometre fully elevated Pune Metro Line 3, also known as the Puneri Metro, connecting Hinjawadi with Shivajinagar, has now entered its final phase of readiness for revenue services.
In the first phase, a 13.3-kilometre section between Maan and R. K. Laxman Museum, comprising 12 stations, is expected to be operationalised by June-July 2026, subject to receipt of the requisite statutory approvals.
The Pune Metro Line 3 project has achieved all major construction and system-related milestones. Viaduct construction has been completed across the entire corridor, while all 23 metro station boxes are ready, with entry-exit and finishing works progressing at advanced stages.
Track laying, third rail electrification, and signalling systems have also been completed across the full corridor.
Additionally, the RDSO oscillation trials for the rolling stock have been successfully completed.
The project has secured approval from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) and the Ministry of Railways (MOR) for rolling stock operations at a maximum speed of 85 kmph.
The successful completion of end-to-end trial runs demonstrates the operational readiness of Pune Metro Line 3 ahead of the launch of passenger services.
The metro corridor will be commissioned in a phased manner. During the first phase, the 13.3-kilometre stretch between Maan and R. K. Laxman Museum, covering 12 stations, will be opened for public use upon receiving statutory clearances.
Also Read: Jabil Launches Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Pune, Targets AI Data Centre Component Production
In the subsequent phase, Pune Metro Line 3 will be extended to District Court, enabling integration with the Maha Metro network.
Once the entire 23-kilometre corridor becomes operational, Pune Metro Line 3 is expected to significantly transform urban mobility in the city.
Travel time between Shivajinagar and Hinjawadi is projected to reduce to nearly 45 minutes from the current travel duration of approximately 1.5 hours, resulting in a reduction of more than 50 percent 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 Pune Metro Line 3 project incorporates several 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 also undertaken multiple sustainability initiatives such as rooftop solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, EV charging points, solid waste management measures, and last-mile connectivity solutions.
Demonstrating its commitment to 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 aimed at increasing women’s participation in urban public transportation.
With construction, systems integration, safety approvals for rolling stock, and corridor-wide trial runs completed, Pune Metro Line 3 is moving steadily toward commercial operations and is expected to play a significant role in enhancing connectivity between Pune’s city centre and its major IT and commercial hub at Hinjawadi.
