Pune Metro Line 3 has begun commercial passenger operations on the 23-km elevated corridor connecting Hinjewadi, the city’s major IT and business hub, with Shivajinagar. The line was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is expected to reduce travel time between the two locations by around 50% once it is fully operational, according to Siemens Limited.
Siemens has supplied the rail technology systems for the corridor, including electrification, signalling and communication infrastructure. Its scope covers 750V DC third-rail electrification, Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC), integrated communication systems, project management and depot equipment.
The company was also involved in systems integration for the metro corridor. The project includes 10 years of maintenance for the electrification and signalling systems, linking the initial technology supply with a longer-term operational support commitment.
Pune Metro Line 3 has been developed under the Public-Private Partnership model through Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited. The special purpose company was formed as a joint venture between TRIL Urban Transport Private Limited, a Tata Group company, and Siemens Project Ventures GmbH, a subsidiary of Siemens Financial Services.
The corridor’s alignment connects Shivajinagar with Hinjewadi, an important employment and business district. The connection is intended to improve access between established central areas and the IT hub, while providing a dedicated mass-transit alternative for passengers travelling across the city.
The signalling system supplied for the line uses CBTC technology, while the electrification system uses a 750V DC third rail. Siemens said the combination of electrification, signalling and communication technologies was deployed to support metro operations across the corridor.
Rajeev Joisar, Head of Mobility Business at Siemens Limited, said the project involved the deployment of electrification, signalling and communication technologies to support metro operations. Siemens Limited executed the work as part of a consortium with Siemens AG and its partners.
The line has now entered commercial passenger service following its inauguration. Its travel-time reduction and operating performance will depend on the full operationalisation of the corridor and the continued functioning of its signalling, electrification, communication and maintenance systems.
