Pune Metro has posted its strongest monthly performance of the year in June 2025, reporting a record ridership of 52.41 lakh commuters and revenue of ₹8.33 crore. This performance surpasses all previous figures recorded this year, demonstrating the growing reliance on and confidence in the city’s expanding metro infrastructure.
According to data from the urban rail operator, the Aqua Line (Ramwadi to Vanaz) generated the highest returns, earning ₹4.44 crore from 28.83 lakh passengers. The Purple Line (PCMC to Swargate), currently operating in partial segments, contributed ₹3.88 crore, ferrying 23.57 lakh passengers. June’s performance represents a clear upward trajectory in metro usage, suggesting that improved frequency, operational stability, and multimodal access are steadily drawing more commuters to public transport. Pune Metro’s growth trajectory began in early 2025 with consistent month-on-month gains. January had been the previous high point, with 49.64 lakh riders and ₹7.78 crore in revenue. Ridership and earnings dipped slightly in February but rebounded in the following months: March posted 44.81 lakh commuters and ₹7.01 crore; April saw 46.59 lakh riders and ₹7.47 crore; and May touched 47.62 lakh passengers and ₹7.72 crore. Officials attribute this consistent growth to improved service awareness, better last-mile connectivity, and the phased operationalisation of metro corridors.
In a parallel boost to the city’s long-term transit planning, the Union Cabinet has formally approved Phase 2 of the Pune Metro Rail Project. The approved extension includes two elevated corridors totalling 12.75 kilometres. The first corridor will run from Vanaz to Chandani Chowk, while the second will extend from Ramwadi to Wagholi—both serving as logical extensions of the existing Vanaz-Ramwadi corridor under Maha-Metro’s operational scope. Government sources have confirmed that the new corridors will integrate 13 stations across rapidly urbanising areas such as Bavdhan, Kothrud, Chandani Chowk, Kharadi, and Wagholi. These areas have seen significant residential and commercial growth, particularly as IT parks and academic institutions continue to expand their footprint. The corridors are scheduled for completion within four years and are expected to alleviate pressure on major arterial roads such as Paud Road and Nagar Road.
The expansion project, estimated to cost ₹3,626 crore, will be jointly financed by the Government of India, the Government of Maharashtra, and external development agencies. Urban mobility experts have noted that this decentralised funding model not only eases fiscal pressure on local governments but also attracts global expertise and sustainable finance mechanisms. Officials stated that detailed engineering and design works, including topographical surveys, are already underway. Maha-Metro has been entrusted with full execution responsibilities, including civil, electrical, and electro-mechanical works. Transport planners believe that the proposed corridors will significantly enhance the East-West mobility spine of Pune, making mass transit a more attractive option for daily commuters. This aligns with the city’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), which advocates for higher public transport modal share to reduce vehicular congestion and emissions. The extensions will also offer key integration points at the District Court Interchange, connecting with Line-1 (Nigdi-Katraj) and Line-3 (Hinjawadi-District Court), thereby enabling seamless multimodal travel across major commercial and residential zones.
Officials revealed that the new lines have been planned keeping intercity travel in mind. Long-distance bus services from major cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahilyanagar and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar will be linked to the metro network at Chandani Chowk and Wagholi terminals. This step is aimed at reducing entry-level congestion into Pune while ensuring easy modal transfer for intercity passengers. From a sustainability standpoint, the metro expansion is projected to bring measurable environmental gains. A modal shift from private vehicles and short-distance buses to electric-powered metro systems is expected to curb local emissions, especially PM2.5 levels, in some of the city’s most densely populated corridors. The new extensions are also expected to provide a critical boost to Pune’s journey toward achieving its net-zero transport emissions targets by 2047.
According to ridership projections, the completed corridors could yield a daily incremental ridership of 0.96 lakh passengers in 2027, rising to 2.01 lakh in 2037 and over 3.49 lakh by 2057. These figures underscore the long-term viability of the metro network as an efficient, inclusive and environmentally responsible urban mobility backbone. Pune Metro’s consistent performance in ridership and revenue, coupled with the Centre’s financial backing for Phase 2, signals a transformative moment in the city’s mobility future. With the backing of coordinated government efforts and rising public preference for sustainable transit options, Pune is poised to emerge as a national model for inclusive, eco-friendly urban rail planning.
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