Pune’s 23-km IT corridor metro nears completion; full rollout expected by July

The 23-km Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar Metro corridor in Pune is now in the final phase of construction, but officials say the project is unlikely to meet its earlier March-end completion target. The line is one of the most important infrastructure projects in the city as it is expected to ease traffic congestion on the busy Pune–Hinjewadi IT corridor.

Senior officials confirmed that trial runs are already being conducted across the entire alignment to test systems, track performance and operational safety. Commercial services can begin only after the concessionaire submits a formal readiness report and authorities grant final clearance.

Officials said the Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar corridor will play a key role in expanding Pune’s Metro network. Once the line becomes operational, it will strengthen connectivity between the city centre and major employment hubs and mark a major step forward in the region’s public transport infrastructure.

The corridor is being executed by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) in partnership with Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. It is the first fully elevated Metro corridor in the country to be developed under such a structure.

Officials said the overall project work has reached nearly 94% completion, with major civil works already finished. The remaining work is largely related to station finishing, electrical installations, signalling systems and final operational checks.

While earlier plans suggested that the corridor would open in April after trial runs, officials now indicate that full passenger operations across the entire route are more likely to begin only by June or July, depending on final approvals and readiness.

Out of the 23 stations on the corridor, 13 stations are already fully completed, while construction and finishing works are still underway at the remaining stations. Several of the under-construction stations are close to completion, officials added.

Once operational, the Metro line will connect Shivajinagar, a major transport hub in Pune, with Hinjewadi’s technology hub, including the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park. The corridor is expected to significantly reduce travel time for thousands of IT professionals who commute daily on this congested route.

Although there has been pressure to open the corridor in phases, transport experts say that running services on only a portion of the route may not be practical because the project is being executed under a PPP model. Officials are now exploring the option of opening the entire line together, even if a few stations remain temporarily closed. (File photo)

Residents and commuters living along the corridor said the repeated extensions of the project deadline have caused frustration, especially given the heavy traffic and road diversions on the Hinjewadi route. However, many also said safety and proper testing should be given priority over rushing the launch.(File photo)