Pune Metro’s third corridor, connecting Maan-Hinjewadi with Shivajinagar, was inaugurated through video conferencing by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while the foundation stones for routes under the network’s second phase were also laid, according to a report by Lokmat – Pune published on November 4.
The event combined a major urban transport announcement with assurances to drought-affected farmers in Maharashtra. Modi said the Centre was firmly supporting farmers facing difficulties and urged them not to worry. He also appealed to citizens to ensure that drought-affected families could participate in the Diwali celebrations.
The newly inaugurated corridor is identified in the report as the Maan-Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar route. The supplied report does not specify the corridor’s length, number of stations, opening date for passenger services, fares or the infrastructure’s operating agency. It also does not provide a detailed project schedule for the Phase 2 routes whose foundation stones were laid during the ceremony.
The inauguration places the corridor within Pune’s continuing expansion of urban rail infrastructure. The event was presented as part of a broader programme involving urban development, poverty reduction and assistance to farmers. Modi said that improving the living standards of poorer citizens was an important part of economic development and expressed confidence that declining poverty would support the wider economy.
In remarks on the drought situation, Modi said he was aware of the difficulties in Maharashtra and referred to assistance provided by the state government and transfers made through the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi. He said the Centre was committed to supporting farmers and asked people to remember the difficulties faced by farmers, rural residents and other citizens affected by drought during the festive season.
The ceremony also included a political defence of the government’s assistance measures. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that people living in large bungalows and travelling in large cars would not understand the importance of an assistance payment of Rs 5,000. He described the payment as only the beginning of further government support and criticised those who, he said, had previously failed to provide meaningful help to farmers.
The event’s dual focus highlights the different systems operating around Pune’s urban expansion. Metro construction is administered through formal infrastructure planning and project implementation, while drought relief depends on government assistance reaching affected rural households. The report does not establish whether the new corridor has begun commercial operations or identify the specific Phase 2 routes covered by the foundation-laying ceremony.
For Pune residents, the immediate transport significance of the announcement will depend on the next official milestones, including the release of operational details and the timeline for passenger services. The next steps for the corridor and the Phase 2 projects were not specified in the supplied report.
