Pune’s Hinjewadi Metro corridor is scheduled to be inaugurated on November 3, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to participate virtually after his proposed Pune visit was postponed, according to a report by Lokmat – Pune. The ceremony is planned at the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar expected to attend in person.
The 23-kilometre Man-Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar corridor, also known as Metro Line 3, is being developed through the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) under a public-private partnership model. The line is intended to connect the Hinjewadi information technology hub with Pune city and serve commuters travelling through Hinjewadi, Balewadi, Baner and Shivajinagar.
The inauguration plan has gained momentum after earlier discussions around several possible dates. The programme was delayed because of the model code of conduct linked to Legislative Council elections. The proposed event on November 3 is now being planned around Prime Minister Modi’s virtual participation, following the postponement of his Pune visit.
The ceremony’s final format and the date on which passenger services will begin have not yet been officially announced, the report said. An official announcement is expected after the model code of conduct for the graduate and teacher constituencies’ Legislative Council elections ends.
Most of the work on the corridor is reported to be nearing completion, while the procedures required before passenger operations begin are being carried out. However, the report did not establish whether the entire corridor will open for public use at once.
The line has 23 stations, and commuters are awaiting clarity on how many stations will be opened in the first phase. The operational start date is a separate milestone from the inauguration and will depend on the completion of the required processes for passenger services.
For residents and employees travelling between Hinjewadi’s technology campuses and established city areas, the corridor is expected to provide an additional public transport option once services begin. The project’s immediate public significance will depend on the number of stations opened initially, the confirmed operating schedule and the formal notification from the authorities.
The November 3 programme remains subject to the official announcement, while the start of passenger services and the first-phase station plan are still awaited.
