Pune: Hinjewadi-Shivaji Nagar Metro Delay Raises Concerns for IT Professionals
Traffic Study Planned At Over 25 Key Junctions Ahead Of Proposed Metro Expansion In Pune
Pune’s IT sector will have to wait longer for Metro Route 3, which connects Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar. The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has extended the project deadline to September 2025, delaying it by over six months. The Metro was initially expected to be ready by March 2025.
So far, 85% of civil work on the 23.33-km elevated corridor is complete. Officials say finishing work is in progress at 14 stations, with telecommunication systems being installed at 12. Land acquisition at Raj Bhavan and Modern College is also ongoing. Authorities expect all civil work to be finished by the end of the year.
However, IT professionals fear the delay could impact Pune’s position as a top technology hub. Hinjewadi, home to nearly six lakh employees, has long struggled with traffic congestion and poor public transport. Many feel the Metro should have been a priority. Unlike other IT hubs such as Hyderabad, Noida, and Kochi, Pune lacks Metro connectivity to the airport, making travel more difficult.
Delays in infrastructure projects could push companies to move operations to other states. Experts warn that Pune risks losing its edge in the IT sector.
Hinjewadi sees massive traffic congestion, with over 12,000 vehicles passing through key junctions every hour during peak times. Public transport is inadequate, with just 200 PMPML buses serving the area. Commuters say the Metro delay is making daily travel harder.
Residents of Baner-Balewadi complain of longer travel times, rising vehicle expenses, and poor health due to dust and bad roads. Damaged roads, broken sidewalks, and uneven surfaces have led to frequent traffic jams. Vehicle maintenance costs have soared by 115%, adding financial strain on commuters.
Safety is another concern. Residents report unlit roads, unmarked diversions, and inadequate barricading. Commuters say road maintenance near the Metro site has worsened over the past year.
In some relief, the Pune traffic police plan to reopen the Range Hills Chowk-Shivajinagar stretch soon. The road was closed for Metro work, forcing vehicles to take longer detours. DCP Amol Zende confirmed that the stretch will gradually reopen in the next four to five days.
