PM Modi to inaugurate Pune Metro's Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar Metro Corridor on November 3

Pune, India (Rail & Metro Today): Pune’s urban transport network is set for a major expansion, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to virtually inaugurate the 23.3-kilometre Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar Metro Line 3 on November 3, 2026. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to attend the programme in Pune, which will be held at Balewadi Stadium. Seventeen stations are expected to open for passenger services.

Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) officials confirmed the proposed inauguration, following instructions to complete preparations for the event. PMRDA Commissioner Abhijit Chaudhari said the Prime Minister would join the programme online, while the Chief Minister and other dignitaries would be present at the venue.

The inauguration would mark an important milestone for commuters travelling between central Pune and the Hinjewadi IT hub, one of the region’s major employment centres. The corridor is expected to provide an alternative to road travel and help ease congestion along the busy Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar route.

Safety Clearances and Station Readiness

The 23.3-kilometre corridor has received clearance from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) for 17 of its 23 stations. Inspections of two additional stations near Balewadi have been completed, with clearances expected shortly. Four stations — RBI, Simla Chowk, Mahabaleshwar Chowk and Baner — are still awaiting the required approvals.

The phased opening is intended to allow passenger services to begin on the sections and stations that have received the necessary safety clearances. The final operational arrangements will depend on the completion of regulatory and commissioning requirements.

Implemented by PMRDA through a public-private partnership model, Metro Line 3 is designed to improve connectivity between the Hinjewadi IT parks and central Pune. Its opening is particularly significant for thousands of IT professionals and other commuters who travel daily along this corridor.

Alongside the metro project, a ₹426-crore plan has been approved for road improvements, traffic management and last-mile connectivity in the Hinjewadi IT area. These measures are expected to complement the metro service and improve access to stations.

Four More Metro Extensions Proposed for Pune

The November 3 programme is also expected to include the foundation stone laying for four proposed metro extensions, aimed at expanding connectivity across Pune and its surrounding urban areas. The proposed corridors are:

Line 2A: Vanaz to Chandani Chowk

Line 2B: Ramwadi to Wagholi

Line 4: Khadakwasla to Kharadi

Line 4A: Nal Stop to Warje and Manikbaug

These extensions are intended to connect residential neighbourhoods with commercial districts, IT centres and other important destinations. Their development could strengthen the city's wider mass transit network and reduce dependence on private vehicles.

Officials have also indicated that MahaMetro will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its Phase 2 works during the programme at Balewadi.

A Significant Step Towards Integrated Urban Mobility

The proposed inauguration of Metro Line 3, alongside announcements relating to future metro extensions, signals a major phase in Pune's urban transport development. The Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar corridor is expected to deliver immediate benefits to commuters once passenger services begin, while the proposed extensions could provide a wider network of connections across the metropolitan region.

However, the successful expansion of Pune's metro system will depend not only on infrastructure construction but also on timely safety approvals, reliable operations, effective feeder services and seamless integration with other modes of public transport.