Pune: PMRDA Strengthens Last-Mile Connectivity Ahead of Metro Line 3 Launch Next Month
The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) is stepping up efforts to improve last-mile connectivity along the Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar Metro Line 3 corridor ahead of the launch of its first phase next month.
PMRDA is constructing dedicated foot overbridges (FOBs) to connect Metro stations with major IT and employment hubs along the corridor. The authority is also developing pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, including walkways and FOBs, to make access to Metro stations easier for commuters.
The metro corridor will be supported by feeder bus services and designated pickup and drop-off points for PMPML buses, taxis and autorickshaws. Facilities for bicycles and e-rickshaws, along with parking spaces for two-wheelers and four-wheelers, will also be provided wherever feasible. Integration with app-based mobility services is part of the overall plan.
PMRDA Chief Engineer Rinaj Pathan said that the initiatives are aimed at ensuring seamless multimodal integration and improving last-mile connectivity, making Metro travel more convenient while encouraging people to shift away from private vehicles, reported TOI.
One of the foot overbridges is reportedly in an advanced stage of completion, with structural work largely finished and final touches underway. As per PMRDA officials, the FOB will provide direct pedestrian access between a Metro station and a major IT hub, reducing dependence on road transport and improving commuter convenience.
PMRDA Commissioner Abhijit Chaudhari told TOI that connectivity to one IT hub is already ready for use and similar access is being planned for other IT parks along the route.
The 23-km Metro Line 3 corridor between Maan-Hinjawadi and Ramnagar in Baner is expected to receive final safety clearances by the end of June. According to PMRDA officials, commercial operations on the first phase, covering 12 stations, are likely to begin by mid-July following inspections by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS).
Meanwhile, PMRDA has sought an extension of its concession agreement with Tata-Siemens for Metro Line 3 till March 2027. Chaudhari said that a proposal for the extension has already been submitted to the Maharashtra government.
The original concession agreement, signed in November 2021, was valid until March 2026. However, PMRDA has directed the concessionaire to ensure that the entire 23-station corridor becomes operational by December 2026.
As reported by TOI, the current extension proposal does not include any penalty clause. Chaudhari said a decision on penalties, if required, would be taken later based on project progress and completion status.
The second phase of operations is expected to include four additional stations, among them Shivajinagar and Civil Court. By August, most of the corridor is expected to be operational, with only seven stations remaining under construction. These stations are scheduled for completion by the end of December 2026.
According to Chaudhari, the extended concession period will allow the concessionaire to complete any residual civil works that may remain after the full corridor becomes operational.
