Pune: Congress Warns Of Agitation If Shivajinagar–Hinjewadi Metro Line 3 Launch Is Delayed
Pune: Congress Warns Of Agitation If Shivajinagar–Hinjewadi Metro Line 3 Launch Is Delayed
Pune, July 28, 2026: The Congress has threatened to launch a large-scale agitation if passenger services on the Shivajinagar–Hinjewadi Metro Line 3 are not commenced immediately, despite the project receiving provisional safety clearance from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) last week.
The warning comes amid growing public frustration over the delay in opening the 23.2-km metro corridor, which is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Shivajinagar and Pune’s IT hub at Hinjewadi.
Former MLA and Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee Vice-President Mohan Joshi said there was no justification for postponing the start of metro operations after the mandatory safety approval had been granted.
“The inauguration ceremony can take place later, but commuters should not be forced to wait. Public convenience should take precedence over ceremonial events,” Joshi said.
According to Rinaj Patha, Superintendent Engineer-II, Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), the CMRS granted provisional authorisation for the first phase of the metro project on July 23.
“We informed the Chief Minister’s Office about the approval on the same day. We are now awaiting a date from the state government for the inauguration and expect passenger services to begin soon,” Patha said.
A senior PMRDA official indicated that the state government may coordinate with the Prime Minister’s Office before finalising the inauguration date, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had performed the project’s foundation stone-laying ceremony.
The delay has drawn criticism from commuters and political leaders, who argue that the metro should become operational as soon as the required safety clearances have been secured.
Joshi alleged that holding back operations solely for an inaugural event was unjustified.
“People need a reliable public transport system, not an inauguration ceremony. Delaying the launch after receiving safety clearance serves no public interest,” he said.
He further noted that the Hinjewadi IT Park has emerged as one of Maharashtra’s largest employment hubs, generating jobs for thousands of professionals and making a significant contribution to Pune’s economy. However, he alleged that successive BJP-led governments had failed to adequately address the area’s growing traffic congestion and infrastructure challenges.
The immediate commissioning of Metro Line 3 is expected to provide a much-needed public transport alternative for thousands of daily commuters travelling between Shivajinagar and Hinjewadi. However, the launch of passenger services now depends on the state government’s decision regarding the official inauguration.
