Pune Metro Line 3, linking Maan, Hinjawadi and Shivajinagar, is set to begin passenger services on 17 stations from November 4, a day after the 23.203-km elevated corridor is inaugurated at Balewadi Stadium. The full corridor is expected to become operational by January 2027.
The inauguration is scheduled for November 3 at 10:30 am. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to participate virtually, while Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other dignitaries are scheduled to attend. Although all 23 stations will be inaugurated, passenger operations will initially cover 17 stations.
Balewadi High Street and Balewadi Phata stations are expected to open towards the end of November or in early December, according to the report. The remaining work is scheduled to be completed before the entire corridor becomes operational in January 2027. The project had recorded 98.20 per cent physical progress by October 2026.
Implemented by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority, the corridor has an estimated cost of ₹8,313 crore and is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership model through a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer framework. PMRDA Commissioner Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari said additional costs would be borne by the private concessionaire and would not affect the operations of the government body or passengers.
Passenger services will begin at 8 am on November 4, with Line 3 integrated with Pune Metro Lines 1 and 2. At District and Sessions Court station, passengers will be able to interchange between the new corridor and the existing metro network. The first train from Maan towards District and Sessions Court is expected to take approximately 45 minutes, while the last train from District and Sessions Court towards Maan will depart at 10:40 pm.
The corridor will operate with 22 train sets, each comprising three coaches and accommodating approximately 1,000 passengers, including standing passengers. Trains are scheduled to run every six minutes during peak hours and at intervals of 10 to 12 minutes during non-peak periods.
Passengers will be able to purchase tickets through the Maha Metro Pune 1 app, WhatsApp ticketing, station counters and ticket vending machines. Existing Maha Metro smart cards will also be accepted, according to the report.
Last-mile access remains part of the operational planning. PMPML bus services and feeder connectivity are being planned, while discussions are underway with MIDC, auto-rickshaw unions and private operators on additional routes. These discussions include a proposed connection between Ramwadi and Kharadi IT Park.
Security arrangements have also been made for the initial rollout, with around 340 personnel deployed across the 17 stations. The remaining stations and the complete corridor are expected to be brought into service by January 2027.
