Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar Metro Deadline Missed, Partial Operations Likely Before March 2026
Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar Metro Deadline Missed, Partial Operations Likely Before March 2026
With 11 stations incomplete, authorities explore Plan B to start Pune Metro Line 3 in phases
Pune’s long-awaited Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar Metro Line 3 has missed its December 2025 deadline, pushing the project into another phase of delay. However, to avoid prolonging commuter inconvenience, especially for IT professionals travelling to and from Hinjewadi—the administration is now considering starting metro services on completed sections while work continues on unfinished stations.
Metro Line 3 spans 23.3 kilometres and is designed to connect the IT hub of Hinjewadi with Shivajinagar through an elevated corridor. Of the 23 proposed stations on the route, work at 11 stations remains incomplete. Facilities such as escalators, waiting areas and parking are still under construction at these locations, accounting for roughly nine per cent of the total project work.
Officials said the core infrastructure including viaducts, tracks and signalling has largely been completed. Two metro train sets have already arrived in Pune and trial runs at different speeds have been conducted successfully. This has prompted authorities to explore a phased launch, allowing metro services to begin on operational stretches while excluding stations that are not yet ready.
The project, being implemented under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, began on November 25, 2021, with an estimated cost of ₹8,312 crore. The original completion deadline was March 2025, which was later extended to December 2025. With continued delays due to land acquisition issues, pending permissions and difficulties in obtaining site possession, the deadline has now been pushed further to March 31, 2026—an extension of 543 days.
The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has stated that over 91 per cent of the overall work has been completed. Senior officials have been instructed to closely monitor progress and ensure adherence to the revised timeline. The administration believes that starting partial operations could significantly ease traffic congestion in Hinjewadi, one of Pune’s most gridlocked corridors.
For daily commuters, the update brings mixed news. While the metro will not be fully operational until March 2026, authorities indicate that limited services on completed sections could begin earlier, offering some relief to thousands of IT employees who currently depend on congested road networks.
Whether the phased rollout will receive final approval—and how many stations will be included in the initial run, remains to be seen. For now, Pune’s Metro Line 3 continues its slow journey toward full operation, with commuters hoping that “Plan B” translates into real movement on the ground.
