Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Pune Metro Line 3, a 23-km elevated metro corridor connecting Shivajinagar District Court with Maan in the Hinjawadi IT hub of Pune, Maharashtra. The inauguration was conducted through video conferencing.
The corridor comprises 23 stations and is expected to significantly improve connectivity between central Pune and the Hinjawadi IT hub, reduce commuting time and ease traffic congestion on one of the city’s busiest routes.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the new metro line would provide major relief to thousands of daily commuters and improve the overall quality of urban transportation. The project was awarded to a joint venture of Tata Realty and Siemens under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Pune Metro Line 3 is the first metro project approved under the Centre’s 2017 PPP policy, under which the private partner is responsible for designing, building, financing and operating the project before transferring it.
Highlighting women’s participation, Fadnavis said nearly 100 train operators on the new Pink Line were women, while women accounted for approximately 50% of the overall metro workforce.
During the inauguration, foundation stones were also laid for four additional metro corridors under Phase II, which are expected to expand Pune’s metro network to approximately 120 km, with connectivity planned towards the proposed Purandar airport.
Additionally, the Maharashtra government has prepared an integrated infrastructure development roadmap for Pune and the Pune Metropolitan Region, covering the Outer Ring Road, Inner Ring Road, High-Capacity Mass Transit Route, tunnels, drinking water supply and drainage infrastructure.
The Centre will provide Rs 5,000 crore for the Pune Metropolitan Region Growth Centre to support regional infrastructure and development projects.
The newly inaugurated Metro Line 3 is expected to strengthen Pune’s public transportation network, improve connectivity to its major IT and commercial hub, and support the city’s growing urban and economic development.
