Hinjewadi-Baner Metro stations to start by July 15; full operations by Dec 2026: PMRDA commissioner

Pune: The first phase of Pune Metro Line 3, covering 12 stations between Maan (Hinjewadi) and Ramnagar (Baner), will become operational by July 15 “under any circumstance”, PMRDA commissioner Abhijit Chaudhari said on Wednesday.

He added that four more stations on the metro corridor, including Shivajinagar, are expected to open by the end of Aug, while the entire line will operate at full capacity by Dec 2026.

“The work on Metro Line 3 from Maan-Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar is progressing rapidly,” Chaudhari said while reviewing PMRDA’s key infrastructure projects. Technical inspection and safety certification for the first 12 stations would be carried out by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) between June 15 and 20. Based on that inspection, services will commence by the end of June or by July 15, he said, and added that better and wider footpaths are also being developed up to the first seven stations to improve commuter access.

Chaudhari also reviewed progress on the Inner Ring Road, water supply projects, monsoon preparedness and action against unauthorised structures.

To improve administrative efficiency, PMRDA is introducing a single-window inward-outward system that would enable officials to track the status of files in real time. To address staff shortages, the authority is expected to receive 70 clerical employees through the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), while additional officers are joining on deputation. This will allow all divisional offices to function at full capacity, he said.

On traffic congestion, Chaudhari said PMRDA would directly undertake road works identified under road planning proposals to ease bottlenecks in Chakan, where traffic conditions have become increasingly severe. He said discussions on land acquisition for the Ring Road project were underway at the senior level and the process would begin only after all legal and technical issues were resolved. “We will not undertake any half-complete land acquisition process,” he said.

The proposed twin tunnel project is currently awaiting approval from the Pune Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (PUMTA). Its feasibility report has been submitted and, after approval of suggested modifications, it will be forwarded to higher authorities. The Pune Municipal Corporation is implementing the project, with PMRDA providing support.

To address water shortages in the metropolitan region, PMRDA is preparing a Regional Water Supply Scheme for town planning schemes and large villages in coordination with the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran and the irrigation department. Under a river improvement project, polluting drains would be intercepted and water released into rivers only after treatment through sewage treatment plants (STPs). Tenders will be floated shortly, and PMRDA will begin work through its own funds while awaiting central assistance.

Ahead of the monsoon, major drains in the Hinjewadi IT Park area have been cleared to prevent waterlogging. PMRDA, MIDC and gram panchayats have jointly assigned responsibilities, while pre-monsoon structural audits of all bridges within PMRDA limits have been completed.

The authority has also deployed AI-based VMSC (Virtual Surveyor Mobile Capture) drone survey technology to identify unauthorised hoardings and flex boards. Owners would be directed to obtain permissions, failing which demolition action and criminal cases will be initiated.

PMRDA also plans to fund rural road repairs under the Pune Grand Tour initiative, implement at least one housing project in every taluka, establish 10 fire stations and complete construction of the POCSO court building by Sept-end.