Pune Metro Line 3 Turns 1.5 Tonnes of Construction Scrap into Massive Art Installation at Maan Depot
As Pune Metro Line 3 edges closer to its highly anticipated commercial launch, the project is making headlines for more than just engineering. In a unique move to tackle construction waste, Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL) has launched its ‘Art from Scrap’ initiative, showcasing a massive 17-foot public sculpture made entirely out of recycled iron and steel debris.
The impressive new artwork, appropriately named ‘Confluence’, has been installed right at the heart of the metro’s administrative hub, the Operations Control Centre (OCC) building inside the Maan metro depot in Hinjawadi.
Weighing in at a hefty 1.6 tonnes, the sculpture was built using roughly 1.5 tonnes of galvanised iron, mild steel, and mixed metal scraps left behind during the construction of the 23.3-kilometer Hinjawadi–Shivajinagar metro line 3. Instead of heading to a standard scrap yard, these leftover station materials were collected, cut, shaped, and welded together over months to create a permanent piece of public art.
Visually, ‘Confluence’ features two large, organic metal structures that start wide apart at the base and curve upward to meet in a single open archway. Project officials say the design is meant to mirror urban mobility itself, bringing separate neighbourhoods, people, and cultures together. A circular window built into the center of the structure perfectly frames the surrounding local landscape, giving passersby a unique view through the scrap-metal frame.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the installation serves a real environmental purpose. By recycling and repurposing the construction waste directly on-site, the project has successfully saved an estimated 2.88 tonnes of carbon emissions (CO₂e) that would have otherwise been generated through standard waste disposal and new manufacturing.
According to PITCMRL, ‘Confluence’ is only the first phase of a broader aesthetic and ecological plan for the metro line. Two more sustainability-focused installations, already named ‘Spiral of Progress’ and ‘Murmuration’, are currently scheduled to be added beside the current sculpture at the Maan depot facility in the coming months.
“At PITCMRL, we believe infrastructure should create value beyond mobility,” said Anil Saini, CEO of Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited. “Through our ‘Art from Scrap’ initiative, we are repurposing construction scrap into meaningful works of art that reflect our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible resource management.”
Local residents and commuters can expect to see even more of these unique installations popping up beyond the depot walls soon. PITCMRL plans to expand the project across the wider metro corridor, promising that future installations will actively pull inspiration from Pune’s rich local culture, heritage, and unique neighborhood identities while continuing to use recycled construction materials.
