Pune: Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar Pune Metro Line 3 May Be Delayed Till 2025 End

Delay Details

Originally slated for completion in November 2023, the flyover’s timeline was extended to December 2023 and now further delayed to April 2025 due to pending permissions and construction challenges. “Construction of the ramp and deck slabs is still pending, and additional approvals for certain stretches are required. The 1.7-km flyover cannot be fully completed until April 2025,” a PMRDA official stated.

The integrated flyover is essential for the operational readiness of the metro corridor. Officials confirmed that metro services cannot commence without its completion, and work on the entire corridor is progressing but unlikely to finish before late 2025.

Key Challenges

Several hurdles have slowed the project’s progress:

Traffic Issues: Heavy traffic and VIP movement along the busy arterial road have restricted construction activities. Proposed traffic diversions provided minimal relief.
Clearance Delays: Obtaining right-of-way permissions, shifting utility lines, and securing approvals for installing steel girders at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) Chowk took more time than anticipated.
Election and Festival Restrictions: Permissions for key construction phases were delayed due to elections and Diwali, leading to reduced deployment of heavy machinery during critical periods.

Despite 75% completion of the flyover, ramp work at Pashan, Baner, and near Raj Bhavan remains unfinished, further delaying the project.

Station Status and Next Steps

Metro stations between Maan and Balewadi Highstreet are expected to be operational by April 2025. However, the construction of stations near University Chowk faces challenges due to road widening requirements and electricity pole removal.

The government previously instructed PMRDA’s concessionaire, Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL), to prioritize flyover construction between SPPU and E Square Junction. Police were advised to permit round-the-clock work, especially on public holidays, to accelerate the project.

Funding Updates

The Centre has approved an additional ₹200 crore as viability gap funding, supplementing the ₹400 crore already cleared. Of the total committed ₹1,200 crore, approximately ₹600 crore has been released to date.

Conclusion

The Pune Metro Line 3 project aims to ease urban traffic congestion and enhance city mobility. While the project has faced multiple delays, PMRDA assures that efforts are ongoing to expedite its completion and minimize inconvenience to commuters.