Pune Metro Launch Delayed Again; Hinjawadi IT Employees Face Longer Wait
PM Modi’s proposed November 3 inauguration postponed after Baramati visit put on hold; 17 stations reportedly cleared for operations
Pune : Commuters in Pune, particularly thousands of IT professionals working in Hinjawadi’s technology hub, will have to wait longer for the much-anticipated metro service connecting Maan-Hinjawadi with Shivajinagar. The inauguration, scheduled for November 3 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been postponed indefinitely following the deferment of his proposed visit to Baramati.
The Prime Minister’s revised itinerary has not yet been announced. The new inauguration date is expected to be decided after his schedule is finalised.
The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), which is implementing the project, had formally written to the state government regarding the inauguration. The government had planned to launch the service during the Prime Minister’s proposed Baramati visit.
Earlier, the announcement of Legislative Council elections for the graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies had resulted in the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct across Maharashtra. With the code in force until October 27, the inauguration was planned for November 3, after its scheduled conclusion. However, the postponement of the proposed visit has delayed the launch once again.
17 Stations Receive Safety Clearance
According to information available, the 23.3-km stretch between Maan and District Court comprises 23 stations. The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) had approved passenger operations on the initial section covering 12 stations between Maan and the R.K. Laxman Museum in Balewadi on July 23 last year.
Subsequently, five additional stations were completed and received safety clearance in September, taking the total number of stations cleared for operations to 17.
Remaining Six Stations Targeted for December
The project deadline has been extended until the end of March next year. Work on the remaining six stations is planned to be completed by the end of December 2026.
With the technical clearances reportedly in place for 17 stations, commuters are awaiting an official announcement on the commencement of passenger services. The launch of the entire corridor will depend on the completion and approval of the remaining stations.
The metro line is expected to improve connectivity between Hinjawadi’s IT Park and central Pune, providing an alternative commuting option for thousands of employees and residents. However, the fresh delay has left commuters waiting for a confirmed launch date.
