Pune’s Metro Line 3 Launches on June 15: 12 Stations Operational by Mid-2026
Pune’s much-anticipated Metro Line 3, connecting Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar, is finally set to begin operations. According to officials, the first phase of the corridor will start running from June 15, 2026, after a slight delay from the earlier May-end target.
This line is especially crucial as it connects Pune’s biggest IT hub, Hinjewadi, with the city’s central business district. The metro will not open fully in one go. Instead, it will be launched in phases:
- Phase 1 (June 2026): 12 stations from the Hinjewadi side will become operational - Full Line (October 2026): Remaining 11 stations, including Shivajinagar side, will open
This phased rollout is aimed at easing early commuter pressure while allowing final work to continue on the remaining sections.
Metro Line 3 is a 23-km elevated corridor with a total of 23 stations, making it one of Pune’s most important infrastructure projects. The route runs from Megapolis (Hinjewadi Phase 3) to District Court (Shivajinagar), covering major commercial and residential zones. It is also India’s first metro project under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, developed by a Tata-Siemens consortium.
The initial operational stretch will cover stations from the Hinjewadi side, including key IT and residential hubs such as: - Megapolis Circle - Hinjewadi Phase 3 - Hinjewadi Phase 2 - Hinjewadi Phase 1 - Wakad Chowk - Balewadi Stadium - NICMAR - Ramnagar (Note: Exact naming may vary slightly across official releases, but these cover the core stretch opening first.)
This segment is expected to benefit thousands of daily IT commuters.
Once operational, Metro Line 3 will significantly reduce travel time between Hinjewadi and central Pune, which currently suffers from heavy congestion. The corridor is expected to serve over 4 lakh commuters daily, easing traffic on the Mumbai-Pune highway and key arterial roads.
For Pune’s IT workforce, this metro line could be transformational. Hinjewadi houses some of India’s largest tech parks, and connectivity has long been a challenge. With faster, predictable travel, Metro Line 3 is set to improve productivity, reduce commute stress, and boost real estate and business activity along the corridor.
