Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has announced an ambitious 50-kilometre road upgrade along Metro Line 3, aimed at improving daily commutes and decongesting a rapidly urbanising corridor. The proposed cement-concrete dual-lane road will run parallel to the elevated metro route from Maan in Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar, promising both connectivity and resilience.
The road, envisioned as a smart and inclusive transport artery, will not only enhance vehicular movement but also prioritise multimodal and pedestrian infrastructure. This includes the construction of dedicated bus bays, pedestrian walkways, median landscaping, parking lanes, and electrification, with provisions to shift existing utility lines underground. Officials overseeing the project said the initiative responds directly to citizen complaints about deteriorating road conditions along the high-traffic metro corridor. According to senior officials from PMRDA, the preparatory work has begun with the release of a consultancy tender. The appointed consultant will be tasked with designing the road alignment, conducting technical surveys, and drafting a Detailed Project Report (DPR) within a four-month window. This report will guide the phased rollout of the construction programme once final approvals are secured.
To ensure uninterrupted mobility during this preparatory phase, interim repairs will be carried out by the current metro contractor to make the existing road sections motorable. Officials clarified that these are stop-gap measures and the full-scale development will follow only after the DPR is finalised and the necessary tenders awarded. The decision to undertake a 50-kilometre cement concrete road build—twice the length of the 25-kilometre Metro Line 3—has strategic implications. The corridor cuts through one of Pune’s most vital IT and residential belts, where infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with urban growth. With population density and vehicular numbers rising, this road will provide a much-needed buffer to distribute traffic loads, enhance last-mile connectivity, and offer a sustainable urban transport ecosystem.
Urban infrastructure experts have hailed the move, emphasising the long-term gains of a metro-aligned road development. While cautioning against project delays, they argue that synchronising such infrastructure initiatives ensures not just ease of travel but also urban resilience in the face of climate and environmental pressures. Though it remains to be seen how soon ground execution begins, the intent signals a shift in Pune’s urban planning ethos—from reactive to anticipatory. By investing in roads that complement mass transit, the city is taking a decisive step towards climate-smart infrastructure that serves its growing population without compromising liveability.
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