Pune’s flagship Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar Metro Line 3 has missed its scheduled December 2025 completion deadline, prompting authorities to consider a phased launch to bring partial relief to daily commuters. The delay underscores the growing challenge of delivering large urban mobility projects on time, even as demand for reliable public transport continues to rise in India’s fast-expanding technology hubs.
The 23.3-kilometre elevated corridor is designed to connect Hinjewadi, Pune’s largest IT and employment cluster, with Shivajinagar, a key transit and commercial node. Envisioned as a high-capacity alternative to road-based travel, the line is expected to significantly reduce congestion along the busy University Road and Paud Road corridors. However, officials now indicate that full-scale operations are unlikely before March 2026. According to project authorities, while core civil and systems work is largely complete, construction at 11 of the proposed 23 stations remains unfinished. Passenger-facing infrastructure such as escalators, waiting areas, access roads and parking facilities is still under development at these locations. These pending elements account for nearly nine per cent of the total project scope but are critical for ensuring safe and inclusive access for commuters.
Despite the delays, substantial progress has been made on the operational backbone of the metro line. Viaducts, track installation, power supply and signalling systems have been completed across most sections. Two metro trainsets have already been delivered, and multiple trial runs at varying speeds have been conducted successfully. Officials involved in testing said the trains and control systems have performed within expected parameters. This progress has encouraged the project administration to explore the option of commencing services on completed stretches while construction continues elsewhere. Under this approach, trains would operate between select stations that meet safety and operational readiness standards, with unfinished stations temporarily bypassed. A transport official said the objective was to “balance commuter needs with construction realities”, particularly for thousands of technology professionals who currently rely on overcrowded roads to reach Hinjewadi.
Urban transport experts say phased commissioning has become increasingly common in Indian metro projects, allowing cities to realise early benefits while avoiding extended idle periods for completed assets. However, they caution that partial operations must be carefully planned to avoid last-mile connectivity gaps and accessibility challenges, especially for women, elderly commuters and persons with disabilities. From a broader planning perspective, the delay also highlights the need for stronger coordination between civil works, systems integration and station-area development. Metro corridors, planners argue, should be viewed not merely as transport lines but as catalysts for compact, low-emission urban growth supported by walkable station precincts and feeder services.
As Pune positions itself as a sustainable, innovation-driven city, the phased rollout of Metro Line 3 could still mark a turning point in reducing car dependence and improving daily commutes. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the project can transition smoothly from construction to operations while aligning with the city’s long-term mobility and climate goals.
Pune Hinjewadi Shivajinagar Metro Faces Delay Partial Launch Expected Before March 2026
