Sharing an update on the project, Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL) Chief Executive Officer Anil Kumar Saini said the metro corridor will be opened in three phases. While the first phase will become operational in July, commuters will have to wait until March 2027 for services to begin across all stations on the route.
The metro project has taken more than a year longer than the original deadline, leading to a nearly 20 percent increase in costs. According to Saini, the additional financial burden will be borne by PITCMRL.
Trial runs have already been completed on the entire 23-kilometre metro corridor. In the first phase, metro services will start on the 13.3-kilometre stretch between Maan and R.K. Laxman Museum. A total of 12 stations on this section are expected to open in July.
In the next phase, the route will be extended up to District Court Station, where it will connect with the existing MahaMetro network. The project has also received approval from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) and the Ministry of Railways for operations at speeds of up to 85 kmph.
Once the entire route becomes operational, travel between Hinjewadi and Shivajinagar is expected to take around 45 minutes, compared to the current journey time of nearly one and a half hours. Officials believe the metro will reduce travel time by more than 50 percent and attract between 2 lakh and 2.5 lakh passengers daily.
The metro will be integrated with the MahaMetro lines connecting Pimpri-Swargate and Vanaz-Ramwadi at District Court Station. A large pedestrian bridge connecting both metro systems has already been completed. Passengers will be able to travel on both networks using the Pune One mobile app or the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC).
Metro services are expected to run from 6 am until 12:30 am. Initially, trains will arrive every six to seven minutes, with the frequency likely to improve to four minutes in the future.
Several IT companies in Hinjewadi have also shown interest in connecting metro stations directly to their office campuses. Seven companies have submitted proposals, and work on two such connections has already been completed. This will allow employees to enter their offices directly from the metro without stepping onto the road.
Out of the total 23 stations planned on the corridor, the remaining stations are expected to open by the end of December. However, construction near Shimla Office and Range Hills remains challenging due to heavy traffic and restricted work permissions. Since work is allowed only during night hours, officials expect the entire corridor to become fully operational by March 2027.
The metro project uses modern technology and features fully Indian-made coaches manufactured in Andhra Pradesh. The trains will receive power through an innovative wheel-based electrical supply system. Stations will also offer smart ticketing, solar energy facilities, EV charging points, and improved last-mile connectivity options to make commuting easier for passengers.
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I’m Priya Agarwal, and I write about everything related to Hinjewadi! From the latest news and events to hidden spots and local businesses, my articles are all about helping you explore and enjoy this vibrant area. Whether you live here or are just visiting, I aim to bring you useful, interesting, and up-to-date information about Hinjewadi. Stay tuned for more!
