Hinjewadi Metro: Latest Updates, Delays, and Commuter Demands

The Pune Metro Line 3, which connects Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar, is one of the most awaited transport projects for IT workers in Pune. With almost 90% of the construction work already completed, officials have announced that the full service will begin in March 2026. However, daily commuters who face heavy traffic in Hinjewadi are asking for a partial launch up to Balewadi Phata before the entire line is ready.

This demand has been growing stronger as the traffic situation in Hinjewadi continues to worsen. Thousands of IT professionals spend hours stuck on potholed and narrow roads. Many now feel that waiting until 2026 for the metro’s relief is unfair when part of the route is already complete and trial runs have been successful.

Why Hinjewadi Needs the Metro Urgently

Hinjewadi IT Park is one of the largest tech hubs in India. More than a lakh employees travel here every day. Out of them, nearly 50,000 to 60,000 use two-wheelers because public transport options are limited. Poor road conditions, heavy congestion, and bottlenecks often waste two to three hours daily for each commuter.

During the monsoon, conditions in Hinjewadi become even worse, with potholes and waterlogging adding to the delays. This has left IT employees frustrated, and many are now openly demanding that the metro be started at least till Balewadi Phata, where construction is already complete.

Current Progress on Hinjewadi Metro Line 3

The Hinjewadi Metro Line 3 is a fully elevated route covering 23.3 km from Hinjewadi (Maan) to Shivajinagar Civil Court. The line will have 23 stations in total and aims to connect Pune’s IT hub to the city’s central areas.

Here’s a quick look at the status:

Key Facts about Hinjewadi Metro Line 3

Detail	Information
Route length	23.3 km (Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar)
Total stations	23
Status	90% complete
Launch date	March 2026 (planned)
Partial demand	Up to Balewadi Phata
Passenger capacity	1,000 passengers per trip
Frequency	Every 30 minutes (initially), 6 am – 10 pm

Officials from the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) have confirmed that though the project is near completion, they will only launch the metro in a single phase. This means commuters will have to wait until the entire line is finished before they can use it.

Trial Runs and Commuter Hopes

In August, trial runs were carried out successfully on the stretch between Maan Depot (Station 1) and Balewadi Stadium (Station 10), covering around 13 to 14 km. The trial proved that the infrastructure is ready for use.

Commuters believe that even a partial rollout up to Balewadi Phata would significantly reduce traffic on the Hinjewadi roads and cut down their travel time. Despite these trials, authorities remain firm on starting services only after the whole route is complete in 2026.

List of Metro Stations on Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar Route

The Hinjewadi Metro Line 3 will have 23 stations, connecting key IT hubs, residential areas, and city landmarks.

Hinjewadi Metro Stations

1. Megapolis Circle
2. Embassy Quadron Business Park
3. Dohler
4. Infosys Phase 2
5. Wipro Phase 2
6. Pal India
7. Shivaji Chowk
8. Hinjawadi
9. Wakad Chowk
10. Balewadi Stadium
11. NICMAR
12. Ram Nagar
13. Laxmi Nagar
14. Balewadi Phata
15. Baner Gaon
16. Baner
17. Krishi Anusandhan
18. Sakal Nagar
19. Savitribai Phule Pune University
20. RBI
21. Agriculture College
22. Shivajinagar
23. Civil Court

The section between Hinjewadi and Balewadi Stadium is ready for use, but the administration has not approved its early start.

Women Loco Pilots: A First for Hinjewadi Metro

Another highlight of the Hinjewadi Metro project is the all-women loco pilot team. Around 100 women have been trained to run the trains on Line 3. These women, mostly from Pune and nearby regions, have completed rigorous training that includes 200 km of supervised driving during both day and night shifts.

They have already handled multiple test runs successfully, proving their capability. The initiative not only marks progress for the Hinjewadi Metro but also promotes gender inclusivity in India’s urban transport system.

Officials have said this team, known as the “Nari Shakti” team, is not just about running trains but also about inspiring future generations of women to take on roles that were earlier seen as unconventional.

Why IT Employees Are Demanding a Partial Launch

For IT professionals working in Hinjewadi, travel is one of their biggest daily struggles. Roads are packed, signals are often mismanaged, and even small accidents or breakdowns cause long jams.

Launching the metro till Balewadi Phata before 2026 could provide the following benefits:

• Reduce daily traffic congestion in Hinjewadi.
• Save up to 2 hours of travel time for thousands of commuters.
• Provide a safe and reliable alternative to two-wheelers.
• Improve work-life balance for IT employees.
• Encourage more people to use public transport.

Commuter groups have also written letters to PMRDA requesting this phased start. However, officials continue to maintain that the line will be opened only in March 2026 after full completion.

Voices from Hinjewadi

Rinaz Pathan, Chief Engineer at PMRDA, has confirmed that the Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar Metro Line 3 will be ready and operational only in a single phase by March 2026.

On the other hand, IT employees and representatives argue that other cities like Bengaluru gave priority to metro connections to IT hubs and airports, while Pune’s IT park was pushed behind.

Pawanjiit Mane, President of IT Forum, has said that with just a month of additional effort, the Hinjewadi to Balewadi Stadium section can be made ready for commuters. Connecting Baner IT Park and Hinjewadi IT Park quickly could make life much easier for tech workers.

The Local Demand Before Festivals

Recently, IT employees requested that at least the Hinjewadi to Baner section be started before Diwali. They believe this would help thousands of workers who face daily stress due to long travel hours.

Forum for IT Employees (FITE) has officially sent requests to the administration, but the response has remained the same: the metro will begin in March 2026.

Employees argue that a Diwali or Christmas launch for part of the metro line could provide immediate relief and reduce traffic during peak festive seasons.

How Many Passengers Will Travel?

The Pune Metro Rail Corporation has planned services with trains carrying 1,000 passengers per trip. The initial frequency will be every 30 minutes between 6 am and 10 pm. Depending on demand, the frequency may be increased later.

With more than a lakh employees in Hinjewadi, even partial services could see high ridership from the first day.

Impact of Delay on Hinjewadi

Every delay in starting the metro means more hours lost in traffic for IT workers. It also increases the burden on Pune’s road network.

If the Hinjewadi Metro starts partially, even for a limited section, it will not only save travel time but also reduce fuel costs, road accidents, and pollution. For now, however, commuters continue to wait for relief.

FAQs on Hinjewadi Metro

When will the Hinjewadi Metro start?

The Pune Metro Line 3 from Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar is expected to start in March 2026.

Why are commuters asking for a partial launch?

Because traffic in Hinjewadi is very heavy, employees want at least the Hinjewadi to Balewadi Phata section to start early.

How many stations will the Hinjewadi Metro have?

There will be 23 stations on the line, covering key areas from Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar Civil Court.

Who will run the trains?

The metro will have an all-women loco pilot team, trained specially for Line 3.

How will the metro help Hinjewadi commuters?

It will cut down travel time, reduce road traffic, and provide a safer and more reliable transport option for IT professionals.

The Hinjewadi Metro is a project that holds great promise for Pune’s IT hub. While most of the work is already complete and trial runs have been successful, commuters remain frustrated by the delay. IT employees continue to demand at least a partial launch up to Balewadi Phata, but officials have stuck to the plan of starting services only in March 2026.

For now, the workforce of Hinjewadi waits patiently, hoping that the metro—once it begins—will finally bring an end to the long hours lost in traffic every day.

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