Pune: PMRDA to Start 13-Km Metro Line 3 (Megapolis Circle to Balewadi Phata) in September to Tackle Traffic Crisis
Pune News, July 06, 2025: The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) is set to commence operations on a 13-kilometre stretch of the 23-km Metro Line 3—from Megapolis Circle to Balewadi Phata—by September this year, officials confirmed. This move comes as Hinjawadi’s worsening traffic congestion has sparked widespread criticism from citizens, activists, and opposition leaders over the past six months.
Project Overview & Timeline
The Metro Line 3, spanning 23.3 km with 23 stations, is being developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model by PMRDA and Pune IT City Metro Rail Ltd, a consortium led by Tata Group and Siemens. Construction began in November 2021, and the entire project is expected to be fully completed by March 2026.
To alleviate public frustration, PMRDA has prioritized opening a 14-km section (Maan to Balewadi Phata) for trial runs and partial operations later this year. The 13-km stretch (Megapolis Circle to Balewadi Phata) will be the first to open in September 2025.
Progress & Official Statements
A senior PMRDA Metro official stated, “On average, metro construction in India takes 8 to 14 months per kilometre. For a 23-kilometre stretch, the completion time is over four years. PMRDA’s pace is well ahead of this standard.”
Yogesh Mhase, PMRDA Commissioner, shared insights from the recent trial run conducted on Friday: “Until now, testing was limited to the depot. This was the first trial run on the actual line, bringing us closer to operations.”
Current Construction Status
- 13 stations are nearly complete, with work ongoing on staircases and final touches.
- The full line is expected to be operational by March 2026, but PMRDA aims to open completed sections as soon as possible.
- Mhase confirmed, “We will start service between Maan and Balewadi Phata by September.”
This development is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in Hinjawadi, a major IT hub that has faced severe mobility challenges.
