DPR Ordered for New 25-km Pune's Hinjewadi–Khadakwasla Metro Corridor

Pune, India (Metro Rail Today): In a major push to address traffic congestion in Pune’s rapidly expanding western corridor, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol has directed authorities to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a new 25-kilometre metro corridor connecting Hinjewadi to Khadakwasla.

The directive was issued during a comprehensive review of ongoing infrastructure and urban development projects in the city. The proposed corridor is expected to play a crucial role in improving connectivity between Hinjewadi’s prominent IT hub and the fast-growing residential areas of western Pune, while also strengthening the city’s emerging metro network.

Announcing the decision after the review meeting, Mohol stated that instructions had been issued to begin preparation of the DPR for the proposed metro line, which is expected to enhance mobility across key urban corridors and provide relief to commuters currently dependent on heavily congested road networks.

During the meeting, Mohol also confirmed that the long-awaited Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar Metro corridor, being developed by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), is nearing completion.

The project has reached approximately 94 percent completion, and authorities are working toward starting passenger operations soon. According to the minister, 13 of the 23 stations on the corridor are expected to become operational by the end of April, marking a significant milestone for Pune’s mass transit infrastructure.

The Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar line is considered critical for the city, as it directly connects the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi with Pune’s central business district and major transport hubs.

Hinjewadi has long struggled with severe traffic congestion, frequent flooding, and road safety concerns, primarily due to the concentration of IT companies and a rapidly growing workforce commuting to the area daily.

Industry groups, employee associations, and residents have repeatedly urged the government to introduce reliable public transport alternatives to reduce dependence on private vehicles and alleviate gridlock on major arterial roads.

While road widening initiatives have been proposed in the region, officials believe that high-capacity mass transit systems such as metro rail will provide a more sustainable long-term mobility solution.

Apart from the Hinjewadi–Khadakwasla proposal, the minister also indicated that work on two additional metro extensions — Vanaj to Chandni Chowk and Ramwadi to Wagholi — is expected to commence soon.

Authorities are also evaluating six possible routes for a dedicated metro connection to Pune Airport, with practical alignments being finalised as part of the city’s long-term urban mobility planning.

These projects form part of broader efforts to strengthen Pune’s public transport network and support the city’s rapid economic and population growth.

Commenting on the development, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, highlighted the importance of expanding metro connectivity to emerging employment clusters.

“Cities like Pune are witnessing rapid expansion of technology and innovation hubs such as Hinjewadi. Strengthening metro connectivity between these economic centres and residential zones is essential to reduce congestion, improve commuter efficiency, and support sustainable urban growth,” she said.

She added that integrated transit planning will play a critical role in ensuring that expanding metro networks effectively support the mobility needs of India’s fast-growing urban economies.