Pune Metro Line 3 received an enthusiastic response on its first day of passenger operations on Wednesday, November 4, with commuters turning up in large numbers to experience the new metro service connecting Hinjewadi and Shivajinagar.

Passenger services commenced at 6 am simultaneously from Maan and District Court stations on the 23.2-km Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar corridor. The first-day commuters included women, children, working professionals and foreign nationals, reflecting the diverse passenger base expected to use the new service.

Several passengers expressed excitement about the launch and appreciated the warm welcome extended by metro staff. The management of Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL), led by CEO Anilkumar Saini and CFO Mitul Jhaveri, was present at stations to welcome the first commuters with flowers. The celebrations continued as the first trains completed their journeys, with flower petals showered on passengers and trains upon arrival.

Commenting on the response, Anilkumar Saini, CEO of PITCMRL, said the commencement of passenger services marked an important milestone for Pune. He added that the enthusiasm shown by commuters was heartening and that the metro teams had come together to make the first-day experience memorable.

Saini said Pune Metro Line 3 reflects the commitment to providing a safe, reliable, efficient and comfortable public transport system. He expressed confidence that the corridor would make daily travel more convenient, particularly for professionals commuting to and from Hinjewadi.

The new corridor is expected to offer a faster and more convenient public transport option for thousands of commuters travelling between Hinjewadi, Pune’s major IT hub, and Shivajinagar. It is also expected to strengthen connectivity between key employment and commercial centres while reducing dependence on private vehicles.

Also known as Puneri Metro or the Pink Line, Pune Metro Line 3 was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 3, 2026. The 23.203-km elevated corridor connects Maan and Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi with Shivajinagar.

The project is India’s first metro project developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in accordance with the National Metro Rail Policy, 2017. It has been implemented under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) framework.