Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar Metro Line 3 Will Be Operated by French Company Keolis; Trains to be Driven by 100 Women Loco Pilots
In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, the upcoming Hinjawadi Shivajinagar Metro Line 3 will be operated exclusively by women loco pilots. French company Keolis, which has been awarded the contract to run the line for 10 years, confirmed that about 100 women will be recruited, trained, and supported to drive the trains.
The Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL), a Tata-Siemens consortium, has partnered with Keolis for the operations and maintenance of Metro Line 3. The agreement covers 22 trains, 23 stations, and the entire ticketing system. Around 1,000 staff members will work to keep the line running smoothly once it starts operations, expected by March 2026.
Keolis described the move as an “unprecedented initiative” in India, ensuring not just recruitment but also long-term integration and support for women pilots. The company already operates the Hyderabad Metro, which carries nearly five lakh passengers daily and is the country’s third busiest network.
The Hinjawadi Shivajinagar Metro Line 3 is a 23-km corridor with 23 stations, connecting Shivajinagar’s central business district with Pune’s IT hub in Hinjawadi. Trial runs are currently underway. Developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), the project aims to reduce road congestion and cut down travel time between the two busy ends of the city.
Route Map of Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar Metro Line 3
Currently, Pune has two operational Metro lines, Vanaz to Ramwadi and Pimpri Chinchwad to Swargate, run by Maha-Metro, a government agency. An extension of these routes is under construction, and a fourth line from Khadakwasla to Kharadi via Hadapsar has also been proposed.
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Once operational, Line 3 is expected to improve connectivity, ease bottlenecks on busy city roads, and encourage more economic activity along the route. For daily commuters, especially IT professionals traveling to and from Hinjawadi, it promises a much faster and more reliable journey.
