Pune: Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar Metro Line 3 coaches to arrive by month-end, marking key milestone in IT city’s commuting
By the end of this month, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) expects three coaches for metro line 3, which connects Hinjewadi and Shivajinagar, to arrive in the city.
Pune is preparing for a significant milestone in its metro transportation system, with three coaches for the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (PMRDA) metro line 3 scheduled to arrive by the end of this month. These coaches, which are critical components of the metro line running from Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar, will be thoroughly tested and trialed in the coming month to ensure they are ready for public use.
According to a Hindustan Times report, Umesh Mallawat, the PMRDA’s executive engineer, stated that they have currently completed 55% of the work on metro line 3. The initial batch of coaches, which is expected to arrive in Pune next month, will consist of three units. Once they arrive at the metro depot, they will be evaluated to ensure operational efficiency and safety.
The coaches, which were built in Chennai, underwent a rigorous inspection last month. They are expected to arrive in Pune within the next 15 days and will undergo additional evaluations at the metro depot before beginning trial runs, which will be a significant step toward the project’s completion and eventual launch.
Metro Line 3, which spans 23.5 kilometers and includes 23 stations, including prominent ones such as Hinjewadi, Megha Police, Wipro Chowk, and Shivaji Chowk, aims to provide commuters with efficient transportation options while significantly reducing travel time between key areas. At Shivajinagar, it will connect with existing lines 1 and 2, improving citywide connectivity.
The PMRDA is implementing the metro line 3 project through a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with the Tata Group and Siemens forming a special purpose vehicle (SPV) called Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited.
To support Metro Line 3, a dedicated depot has been built on 55 acres of MIDC land in Hinjewadi, serving as a central hub for maintenance and operation.
In April, Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited launched 8.5-metre-wide segments for the construction of a double-decker viaduct on Ganeshkhind Road towards Pune University, thereby improving connectivity. Furthermore, significant traffic route changes have been implemented since May 4 to expedite the girder launch and facilitate construction.
The Pune Metro’s physical infrastructure has improved significantly over the last two years. The pillar erection was completed successfully, marking an important milestone. This foundational work paves the way for the final phases of construction and testing, bringing the project closer to its much-anticipated launch.
