Pune Metro Line 3 Clears Major Milestone As CMRS Approves 13-km Maan–Balewadi Section For Passenger Operations
Pune Metro Line 3 Clears Major Milestone As CMRS Approves 13-km Maan–Balewadi Section For Passenger Operations
Pune, July 24, 2026: The Pune Metro Line 3 project has achieved a significant milestone after the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) granted provisional authorisation for passenger operations on the 13-kilometre stretch between Maan Station and R.K. Laxman Museum (Balewadi).
The approval, issued on July 23, 2026, marks a crucial step towards the launch of commercial services on the Hinjawadi–Shivajinagar Metro corridor.
The approved section comprises 12 metro stations and has successfully completed all mandatory statutory inspections, safety assessments, and technical trials required by the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s metro safety authority. With the approval, trains will be permitted to operate at a maximum speed of 80 kmph in Automatic Train Protection (ATP) mode under the Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system.
The double-track corridor, spanning approximately 13 kilometres, will operate using a 750V DC third-rail traction system.
The CMRS conducted a comprehensive inspection of the corridor between July 5 and July 8, 2026, in the presence of senior officials from Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL). Following the inspection, the project team submitted compliance reports addressing all observations raised by the safety authority.
Before granting approval, the corridor successfully underwent mandatory trial runs. The CMRS also verified all critical technical certifications, including Independent Safety Assessor (ISA) certification, clearance from the Chief Electrical Inspector to the Government (CEIG), Department of Telecommunications (DoT) licence, fire safety no-objection certificates for all 12 stations, and approvals related to civil works, track, signalling, telecommunications, and rolling stock systems.
Commenting on the development, Anil Kumar Saini, Chief Executive Officer of Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL), said the statutory safety approval represents a landmark achievement for Metro Line 3. He stated that the clearance reflects the project’s commitment to safety, quality, and engineering excellence while bringing Pune closer to the introduction of a modern metro system. He added that the approval is a major step towards launching a safe, reliable, and sustainable public transport service connecting Hinjawadi’s IT hub with Pune city.
Welcoming the approval, PMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Abhijit Chaudhari said the clearance for the first phase of the Hinjawadi–Shivajinagar Metro Line 3 project is a significant achievement for both Pune residents and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA). He noted that the metro is expected to play a key role in reducing traffic congestion in the Hinjawadi IT Park area while providing commuters with a fast, safe, and environmentally friendly mode of transport. He added that PMRDA is committed to completing the remaining formalities at the earliest so that passenger services can commence soon.
