Pune: 100 Women Train Pilots To Drive Metro Line 3 From Hinjawadi To Shivajinagar
Pune: 100 Women Train Pilots To Drive Metro Line 3 From Hinjawadi To Shivajinagar
Pune, September 22, 2025 – Pune is all set to script a new chapter in urban transport with the “Nari Shakti” of Pune Metro Line 3. In a landmark move, the Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL) consortium has awarded a 10-year operations contract for Line 3 to Keolis, under which all trains will be driven exclusively by women.
The ‘Nari Shakti of Puneri Metro’ marks a significant step in empowering women in the public transport sector. A dedicated team of 100 women train pilots has been recruited and trained to operate the metro. These young women, most hailing from Pune and nearby areas, have undergone an intensive three-month training program that includes 200 kilometers of supervised driving during both day and night. Each pilot is being supported not only with technical expertise but also with special attention to their safety, well-being and long-term integration into the workforce.
“This isn’t just about running trains – it is about inspiring the next generation of women to step into roles that were once seen as unconventional. Our women train pilots symbolize resilience, discipline and progress. They are setting a powerful example for Pune and for the nation,” said Anil Kumar Saini, CEO of PITCMRL.
During the training period, the women pilots have already demonstrated their skills by successfully conducting multiple trial runs. Four test operations between Maan Depot (Station No. 1) and Balewadi Stadium (Station No. 10) have been executed with “Nari Shakti” in the driver’s cabin, proving both their capability and confidence in steering Puneri Metro into the future.
The Pune Metro Line 3 project – connecting the bustling IT hub of Hinjawadi to Shivajinagar – will become a lifeline for lakhs of commuters once operational. The decision to entrust its operation to an all-women team reflects PITCMRL’s commitment to inclusivity, diversity and community empowerment.
The Pune Metro line III is a ~23 Km elevated Metro rail project connecting the IT hub of Hinjawadi to the Central business district of Shivajinagar. It is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project awarded by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) to a consortium consisting of Tata Group’s TRIL Urban Transport Private Limited (TUTPL) and Siemens Project Ventures GmbH. The Project would be developed & operated on Design, build, finance, operate & transfer (DBFOT) basis by a special purpose vehicle (SPV), Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL) for a Concession Period of 35 years including the construction period.
