Pune Metro Line 3 Status 2026: CM Fadnavis Sets Final March Deadline; SPPU Flyover to Open in January
By PuneNow News Bureau Pune, Maharashtra | December 21, 2025
The wait for Pune’s most anticipated transit corridor is entering its final stretch. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has issued a “zero-extension” directive to the implementing agencies of Pune Metro Line 3, setting a hard deadline of March 31, 2026, for the entire 23.3 km corridor to become operational.
This “Pink Line,” connecting the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar, is currently 90% complete. While thousands of IT professionals have been pushing for a phased opening of the Hinjewadi-Baner stretch, officials have confirmed that the project will launch as a single, unified corridor to ensure systemic integration and safety compliance.
CM Fadnavis Sets Final Deadline for Pune Metro Line 3 Status
During a high-level review of the city’s infrastructure on Monday, CM Fadnavis made it clear that Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL), the Tata-Siemens consortium, must complete all pending works by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
“The Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar route is the lifeline for our IT sector. No further delays will be tolerated,” the CM stated. This comes after the Hinjewadi Shivajinagar Metro deadline was revised multiple times from its original 2025 targets.
Key Project Statistics at a Glance:
- Total Distance: 23.3 km (Entirely Elevated)
- Total Stations: 23 strategically located stations
- Current Progress: Approximately 90% of construction complete
- Final Deadline: March 31, 2026 (Zero-extension mandate)
- Estimated Ridership: 2.6 Lakh daily commuters
Pune Metro Pink Line Trial Run Reaches Baner
Marking a major technical milestone, the Pune Metro Pink Line trial run has officially extended beyond the Maan Depot. Following successful tests at the Balewadi Stadium station, metro rakes have now been spotted undergoing rigorous signaling and track tests as far as Baner.
These trials, conducted at speeds of 40 km/h, are testing the “Third Rail” power system, a first for Pune, which eliminates the need for overhead wires and maintains a clean city skyline. Alstom has already delivered several 3-coach trainsets, each capable of carrying 1,000 passengers, specifically designed for the high-density commute between the IT hub and the city center.
University Chowk Double-Decker Flyover: Opening January 15
In a massive relief for commuters on Ganeshkhind Road, the PMRDA has confirmed that the Pune Metro University Chowk flyover will be fully open to traffic by January 15, 2026.
This integrated double-decker structure is a critical component of the project. While the upper deck will carry the Metro Line 3 tracks, the lower deck features six lanes for vehicular traffic. The Aundh and Shivajinagar ramps are already functional, and the final segments connecting Baner and Pashan are in the finishing stages. The CM has instructed that the flyover be opened to the public immediately upon completion, bypassing any formal inauguration ceremonies to ease local traffic bottlenecks.
Connectivity and Real Estate Impact
Once operational, the Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar Metro travel time is expected to drop from a grueling 90 minutes to just 40 minutes. Commuters can transition seamlessly to the existing Purple and Aqua lines at the Civil Court interchange station via a dedicated skywalk.
The project has already triggered a real estate surge. Property prices in Baner, Balewadi, and Wakad have seen a steady appreciation of 15-20%, as home-buyers prioritize “Metro-adjacent” living to avoid the notorious Hinjewadi traffic jams.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Pune Metro Line 3
- What is the final deadline for Pune Metro Line 3? Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has set a strict completion deadline of March 31, 2026. The implementing agency, PITCMRL, has been directed to finish all works by this date with no further extensions.
- How long is the Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar Metro route? The “Pink Line” spans a total distance of 23.3 km. It is an entirely elevated corridor featuring 23 stations.
- What is the current status of the project? As of December 2025, approximately 90% of the construction work is complete. Trial runs have already successfully reached Baner from the Maan Depot.
- When will the University Chowk (SPPU) flyover open? The integrated double-decker flyover at University Chowk is scheduled to open for vehicular traffic by January 15, 2026, significantly easing the commute on Ganeshkhind Road.
- How much travel time will the new metro save? The metro will reduce the travel time between Hinjewadi and Shivajinagar to approximately 40–45 minutes, down from the current 90–120 minutes by road during peak hours.
What’s Next for Pune Metro?
While Line 3 nears completion, the state government has also green-lighted new extensions, including the Hadapsar–Loni Kalbhor and Khadakwasla–Kharadi routes, signaling a massive expansion of the city’s rapid transit footprint heading into late 2026.
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