By Pune’s rapidly expanding metro network is set to take another major step forward. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday announced that the much-awaited Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar Metro corridor will begin operations in phases starting this May, offering relief to thousands of daily commuters in the city’s busy technology and business districts.
The announcement came during the inauguration of the new Metro Bhavan in Pune, which will serve as the headquarters of MahaMetro, the agency responsible for implementing several metro projects across the state. Speaking at the event, Fadnavis said the new corridor would ease pressure on existing transport routes and significantly improve connectivity between Pune’s IT hub and central parts of the city.
According to the Chief Minister, the 23-kilometre Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar line will be rolled out in two stages. The first phase, expected to begin in May, will cover the stretch between Hinjewadi and Balewadi and include 12 stations. The second phase, scheduled for launch in July, will extend services from Balewadi to Shivajinagar with another 11 stations.
Transport planners say the corridor is particularly important because it connects Pune’s largest IT park in Hinjewadi with major residential and commercial areas. Thousands of professionals travel daily between these zones, often facing long traffic delays during peak hours.
Fadnavis also used the occasion to outline a broader vision for Pune’s urban transport system. He said the state government plans to expand the city’s metro network dramatically in the coming years, with a long-term goal of developing nearly 200 kilometres of metro connectivity across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and surrounding areas.
Officials have been asked to prepare a comprehensive plan for the proposed expansion, which is expected to play a key role in reducing road congestion in one of India’s fastest-growing urban centres. “Our aim is to provide better mobility and gradually make Pune free from traffic bottlenecks,” the Chief Minister said.
Another major proposal under consideration is extending the metro network to the planned airport at Purandar. If implemented, the link would provide direct rail connectivity between the airport and the city’s major business districts, improving accessibility for both residents and visitors.
The Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar corridor itself is being developed by Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited and implemented by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority. Officials involved in the project say the line is designed to integrate with other metro routes and public transport systems in the city.
Fadnavis noted that metro services introduced in Pune so far have already seen encouraging public response. On average, around 2.5 lakh commuters use the system daily, with numbers surging significantly during festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi when ridership has crossed five lakh in a single day.
With Pune continuing to grow as a technology, education and manufacturing hub, authorities believe large-scale investments in metro infrastructure will be essential to keep the city moving efficiently in the years ahead.
