Pune Metro Line 3 Trials Reach Last Station on the Line at Shivajinagar; March 31 Deadline Looks Within Reach

In a defining moment for Pune’s urban infrastructure, the Pune Metro Line 3 (Hinjawadi–Shivaji Nagar–District Court) has successfully extended its technical trial runs to the final station, signaling that the core viaduct and track work are now functionally complete.

A Visual Spectacle of Integration

Commuters and onlookers were recently treated to a rare sight as the Puneri Metro Line 3 train was spotted passing directly above a Line 2 train. This architectural marvel highlights the complex multi-tier integration of Pune’s metro network. The elevated Red Line (Line 3) will provide seamless connectivity via a Foot Over Bridge (FoB) at the Shivaji Nagar station of the Purple Line, before reaching its last station.

At the District Court terminus, Line 3 will be linked via FoB to the existing interchange hub where both the Aqua and Purple lines meet, creating a massive tri-line junction that will redefine how the city moves.

The Road to Certification: RDSO and CMRS

With the trial runs now covering the entire 23.3 km corridor, the project enters its most critical regulatory phase.

• RDSO Tests: Technical assessments by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) are currently underway, verifying track geometry, braking systems, and the 750V DC third-rail power supply.
• CMRS Inspection: Following the RDSO tests, the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) will conduct a final, mandatory inspection. This safety certificate is the final requirement before the line can be certified for public use.

📍 Pune..

खाली वाहनासाठी रोड,त्यावर एक मेट्रो लाईन आणि त्या मेट्रो लाईन वर दुसरी पिंक मेट्रो लाईन आणि लवकरच पुरंदर विमानतळाचे काम चालू होणार आहे.

येणाऱ्या काही वर्षात पुणे शहराचा आणि पुणे जिल्ह्याचा रिंग रोड मुळे अजून विकास होणार आहे.

पुणे आता खऱ्या अर्थाने 'स्मार्ट आणि… pic.twitter.com/FIt41Q5cpv

— शुभम कराड (@shubham_9909) February 8, 2026

Progress vs. Deadlines: The Station Bottleneck

While the viaduct construction and train trials are progressing well, with 14 of the 22 Alstom trainsets already delivered, a significant challenge remains. Many of the 23 stations along the route are currently significantly behind schedule compared to the track work.

Infrastructure for passenger amenities and entry-exit points at several stations is still under heavy construction. While the state government is pushing for a March 31, 2026, deadline, the lag in station readiness may dictate whether the line sees a full or partial opening.

What This Means for Pune Commuters

Once operational, the travel time between the Hinjawadi IT hub and central District Court is projected to drop from nearly two hours during peak traffic to a mere 30-35 minutes.

The PMRDA Pune Metro Line 3 is designed to be the backbone of the city’s east-west connectivity. With trials reaching the final endpoint, the project has crossed its most significant technical hurdle to date.