Hinjawadi–Shivajinagar Metro Expansion to Be Completed by March 2026; Hinjawadi–Baner Section to Open in 2–3 Months

Pune: The much-awaited Hinjawadi–Shivajinagar Metro expansion has reached its final phase, with the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Mahametro) now officially in charge of completing the 23.3-kilometre corridor. The project, earlier handled by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), is over 90 percent complete and is expected to be fully operational by March 2026.

Hinjawadi–Baner Section to Open Soon

The first phase of the metro, connecting Hinjawadi to Baner, is likely to begin operations within the next two to three months, offering much-needed relief to daily commuters travelling between Pune’s IT hub and the city’s western suburbs. The 23.3-km route includes 23 stations and has been developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with Tata-Siemens as the private partner.

Mahametro to Oversee Completion

The state government has transferred complete responsibility for the Hinjawadi–Shivajinagar Metro expansion to Mahametro. PMRDA Commissioner Dr. Yogesh Mhase confirmed that the transition ensures timely completion and streamlined operations. “The ongoing work from Maan–Hinjawadi to Shivajinagar will now be completed under Mahametro’s supervision,” he said.

PMC Approves Four Parking Facilities

To support metro commuters, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved the development of parking facilities at four key locations along the metro corridor. These include Balewadi Amar Tech Park, Balewadi Iris Society, Baner Cosmos Society, and a site near ABZ in Baner.

According to Dinkar Gojare, Head of the PMC Project Department, the civic body will independently develop these parking facilities, which are located 200–400 metres from the nearest metro stations. “The operation and management of these parking areas will be decided after discussions with the Metro authorities,” Gojare said.

Parking to Ease Last-Mile Connectivity

The parking initiative is aimed at improving last-mile connectivity and reducing roadside congestion once the metro services begin. Officials said that PMC will determine the parking charges, and if operations are handed over to Mahametro, rent will be collected accordingly.

Complete List of Metro Stations

The 23 stations on the Hinjawadi–Shivajinagar Metro Line 3 are:
Megapolis Circle, Embassy Quadron Business Park, Dohler, Infosys Phase 2, Wipro Phase 2, Pal India, Shivaji Chowk, Hinjawadi, Wakad Chowk, Balewadi Stadium, NICMAR, Ram Nagar, Lakshmi Nagar, Balewadi Phata, Baner Village, Baner, Agricultural Research, Sakal Nagar, Savitribai Phule Pune University, RBI, College of Agriculture, Shivajinagar, and Civil Court.

Transition Marks a New Phase in Pune’s Metro Growth

The government’s move to hand over the project to Mahametro marks a major shift in the management of metro development across Maharashtra. Future metro projects in the state will now be overseen by Mahametro, while those in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region will continue under MMRDA.

Once completed, the Hinjawadi–Shivajinagar Metro expansion will significantly improve connectivity between Pune’s IT and commercial hubs, reduce traffic congestion, and promote the use of public transport in the city’s fast-growing western corridor.