Pune Metro Line Three Awaits Final Safety Clearance

Pune’s long-awaited Metro Line Three connecting Hinjewadi with Shivajinagar is ready for passenger operations but will remain unavailable until mandatory safety certification is issued by the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS). The delay, though expected to be temporary, postpones the opening of a key public transport corridor designed to improve connectivity between the city’s largest information technology district and its central business areas while easing chronic road congestion.

Officials associated with the project confirmed that construction and system integration on the first operational section have been completed, with infrastructure prepared for commercial service. However, under national metro rail regulations, passenger operations cannot commence until the independent railway safety authority grants final approval following inspection of civil works, signalling systems, rolling stock and emergency preparedness. The initial operating stretch will connect Maan with Ramnagar, covering the first phase of the elevated corridor before the remaining stations become operational later this year. Authorities expect the second phase to extend services fully to Shivajinagar, creating an uninterrupted rapid transit route across western Pune. Metro Line Three spans more than 23 kilometres and has been planned to address one of Pune’s most congested commuter corridors. Every day, thousands of employees travel between the city’s residential neighbourhoods and the Hinjewadi information technology hub, where road-based transport frequently experiences severe delays during peak hours. Urban mobility experts believe the corridor can substantially reduce dependence on private vehicles while improving travel reliability.

The project also reflects Pune’s changing urban landscape. Over the past decade, large-scale residential growth has expanded beyond traditional city limits into Hinjewadi, Wakad, Baner and surrounding areas. As employment and housing continue to spread across the metropolitan region, transport planners increasingly view high-capacity public transit as essential for supporting sustainable urban expansion and reducing transport-related emissions. Officials said trial operations conducted on the completed section demonstrated satisfactory performance, while observations made during earlier inspections by railway safety authorities have been addressed. The project is now awaiting the final clearance process before a public opening date can be announced.

Once fully operational, Metro Line Three will integrate with Pune Metro’s existing east-west and north-south corridors, allowing passengers to transfer seamlessly across the expanding network. This multimodal connectivity is expected to improve accessibility for workplaces, educational institutions and commercial centres while encouraging a shift from private vehicles to mass transit. Urban planners note that expanding reliable metro infrastructure will be critical as Pune continues to experience rapid population growth. Alongside investments in buses, pedestrian facilities and last-mile connectivity, projects such as Metro Line Three are expected to play a central role in building a more efficient, lower-carbon and commuter-focused transport system for the metropolitan region.

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Pune Metro Line Three Awaits Final Safety Clearance