Pune Metro Line 3: Hinjawadi–Balewadi Stretch Likely To Open For Passengers Next Week
Pune Metro Line 3: Hinjawadi–Balewadi Stretch Likely To Open For Passengers Next Week
Pune, July 18, 2026: Passenger services on the first phase of Pune Metro Line 3, connecting Hinjawadi and Balewadi, are expected to commence next week after pending safety approvals are received, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said on Saturday.
The launch, initially targeted for mid-July, was postponed as the project awaited final technical and safety clearances from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS).
The CMRS team, led by Commissioner Janak Garg, carried out a detailed inspection of the 13.3-km corridor between July 5 and July 9. During the review, officials recommended a few minor technical modifications. According to authorities, the required changes have since been completed and a compliance report has been submitted. The final safety certification is expected within the next few days.
The first operational section of Metro Line 3 will run from Maan in Hinjawadi to Balewadi, covering 13.3 km with 12 stations. The minimum fare is expected to begin at around ₹12.
The corridor is expected to provide significant relief to thousands of daily commuters, particularly employees travelling to the Hinjawadi IT hub. It is also expected to ease traffic congestion along key routes in Hinjawadi Phases 1, 2 and 3, Wakad and Balewadi.
The project had originally been scheduled to begin operations on July 15. Mohol said he held discussions with senior railway and metro officials in New Delhi to expedite the remaining approvals while ensuring that all mandatory safety standards were met before opening the corridor to the public.
Following the launch of the Hinjawadi–Balewadi section, construction efforts will shift to the remaining stretch between Balewadi and the District Court station in Shivajinagar. Officials are targeting completion of the second phase by the end of August.
Once the entire 23-km Pune Metro Line 3 becomes operational, it will establish a direct metro connection between Pune city and the Hinjawadi IT corridor, reducing travel time and improving connectivity for commuters across the western suburbs.
