Hinjawadi: Metro Worker Trapped in Crane, Rescued; Massive Traffic Jam Paralyzes Pune IT Hub
Pune/Hinjawadi – Hinjawadi commuters faced a harrowing Friday as a technical mishap during Pune Metro Line 3 construction led to a high-stakes rescue operation and a total collapse of traffic flow in Pune’s premier IT hub.
Worker Rescued from Metro Crane
The incident occurred early Friday afternoon near an under-construction metro station in Hinjawadi Phase 1. A construction worker became trapped within the mechanical structure of a heavy-duty crane being used for complicated overhead work.
The site, managed by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) under the Tata-Siemens partnership, was immediately cordoned off as emergency response teams and metro officials rushed to the spot. After an intense hour-long operation, the worker was safely extricated from the machinery. Officials confirmed that the individual sustained no life-threatening injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital for a precautionary check-up.
The incident occurred during complex overhead structural work under the metro station’s roof. In a harrowing moment, the worker’s neck became pinned between a heavy beam and a crane. Co-workers immediately raised the alarm, triggering a rapid response from on-site emergency teams.
Hinjawadi Traffic News Today: Gridlock Hits IT Professionals
While the rescue was a success, the ripple effect on local infrastructure was severe. To facilitate the safety operation, the main arterial road beneath the metro pillars was temporarily barricaded. This closure, coupled with the peak hour movement of IT professionals, triggered a massive traffic jam in Hinjawadi.
Vehicles were reportedly stranded for over two hours, with the congestion stretching from the Shivaji Chowk towards Phase 3 and Bhumkar Chowk. The Traffic Police eventually issued alerts, diverting commuters to alternative internal roads to bypass the construction site. By late evening, traffic began to crawl back to normalcy, though local residents and IT Professionals took to social media to express frustration over the recurring bottlenecks in the area.
Safety Protocol Review Launched
Following the successful extraction, the worker was provided immediate medical attention. While his current condition has not been officially disclosed, PMRDA officials confirmed that a high-level review of safety procedures at the construction site is now underway. The investigation will focus on whether standard operating procedures (SOPs) for overhead structural work were followed during the station’s roof installation.
Irony of Progress: Trial Runs Completed on Same Day
The mishap cast a brief shadow over a major milestone for the Pune Metro Line 3 project. Ironically, the incident occurred on the same day that PMRDA announced the successful completion of full-route technical trial runs for the 23.3-km Hinjawadi to Shivajinagar stretch.
Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar Metro Line 3 is currently undergoing rigorous testing of track geometry, power supply systems, and braking efficiency. Despite today’s construction-site scare, officials maintain that the project remains on track for its high-stakes commercial launch.
What’s Next for Pune Metro Line 3?
With over 90% of the civil work completed, the focus has shifted toward station finishing and safety clearances.
- Commercial Launch Date: The targeted opening for passenger services is March 31, 2026.
- Flyover Relief: In a bid to alleviate the chronic “Hinjawadi traffic jam” issues, the Shivajinagar-Baner flyover is scheduled to open to the public next week.
This double-decker structure, which carries the metro on its upper tier and vehicles below, is expected to permanently end the “bottleneck” woes at University Chowk that have plagued Pune for years.
