Pune Metro To Launch In September As Monsoon Adds Pressure On Roads
Pune is bracing for worsening monsoon congestion, but relief might finally be on track. The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has announced that a 13-kilometre stretch of Metro Line 3—from Megapolis Circle in Hinjawadi to Balewadi Phata—is set to become operational by September 2025. This corridor, crucial for thousands of daily commuters from Pune’s IT hub, is being fast-tracked to address crippling traffic worsened by ongoing rains.
The monsoon has further exposed the city’s overburdened road infrastructure. Tech zones like Wakad, Baner, and Hinjawadi are struggling with severe waterlogging and daily traffic paralysis. In this context, the upcoming metro segment is being hailed as a much-needed intervention, particularly as key access roads to Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park are increasingly clogged.
PMRDA, along with private partners Tata Group and Siemens, has outpaced the national metro construction average with rapid civil and systems work. Trial runs between Maan and Balewadi Phata have already begun, signaling operational readiness. According to PMRDA Commissioner Yogesh Mhase, only station interiors and final testing remain before opening.
This early launch is being seen as a strategic response to both commuter frustration and growing public scrutiny. Local activists and political leaders have voiced concerns over delays and demanded quick solutions as Pune’s tech corridor continues to swell in population and pressure.
Once completed in March 2026, the full 23.3 km Metro Line 3 will connect Hinjawadi to Shivajinagar with 23 stations, offering a high-capacity, sustainable alternative to personal vehicles and easing dependency on monsoon-vulnerable roadways.
