PUNE (Metro Rail News): The first section of Pune Metro Line 3 is ready to start passenger services. The PMRDA expects Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate it virtually in early September. Although the exact date of the inauguration has still not been finalized. The initial section, which lies between Maan-Balewadi and is 12 stations long, was approved by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) for passenger services on July 23.
PMRDA prepares the launch
The commissioner of the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA), Abhijit Chaudhari, stated that the officials are keeping the 12 stations under constant observation and are carrying out the remaining tasks. The state government is currently preparing the schedule for the inauguration, and according to the present plan the Prime Minister might inaugurate the section online during the first two weeks of September. The exact date has still not been confirmed by the officials. Chaudhari will carry out another in-depth review of the project on Friday, and the officials will as well carry out a further review at the end of this week.
Five more stations may join the first phase
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The PMRDA has requested a CMRS inspection at five more stations. If the safety regulator gives the go-ahead to these stations, then metro services could be extended to a route comprising 17 stations. The section leading towards Shivajinagar will open only after the officials have carried out the necessary safety inspections and obtained the required clearances.
Pune Metro Line 3 at a glance
| Information | Details |
| Corridor | Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar |
| Total Length | 23.3 km |
| First Phase | Nearly 8 km |
| First Stretch | Maan-Balewadi |
| Stations ready | 12 |
| Five additional stations | Awaiting CMRS inspection |
| Maximum train speed | 80 kmph |
| Construction started | 2022 |
Pune Metro Line 3, which is 23.3 km in length, will run from Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar via Balewadi. The corridor will offer a direct link for public transport to Hinjewadi, one of Pune’s major IT and employment centres, and it will also connect the area with various important parts of the city. Trial runs are currently going on, the officials stating that the trains are capable of reaching speeds of 80 kmph.
Project enters final stage
On Tuesday Siddharth Shirole, the MLA from Shivajinagar, went and looked at the project together with representatives from Tata, Siemens and the project engineering team. He stated that the construction had reached its final phase since it had begun in 2022 and also referred to the traffic congestion on Pune’s main entry roads, saying that the metro could provide commuters with an alternative mode of travel.
Rinaj Pathan, head engineer at the PMRDA, stated that the officials have already presented the proposal for the CMRS to carry out the inspection of the other five stations. The authority is currently awaiting the regulator’s response. For people who regularly commute between Hinjewadi and Balewadi, the first stage would offer an alternative to the crowded road system.
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