Pune: Passenger services on the first stretch of Pune Metro Line 3 moved a step closer after the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) granted provisional authorisation for operations on the 13-km Maan–R.K. Laxman Museum (Balewadi) section.
The approval, issued on July 23, covers a 12-station elevated corridor and follows the successful completion of statutory inspections, safety validations and trial runs. The clearance is considered a key milestone before commercial operations can begin on the Hinjawadi–Shivajinagar Metro corridor.
According to Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL), the CMRS conducted inspections between July 5 and July 8, following which the project authorities submitted compliance reports addressing observations raised during the inspection. The section also underwent mandatory confirmatory trial runs before receiving safety clearance.
With the approval, trains on the corridor will be permitted to operate at a maximum speed of 80 kmph using the Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system with Automatic Train Protection (ATP). The line operates on a 750V DC third-rail traction system.
The CMRS also verified statutory approvals, including the Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) certificate, Chief Electrical Inspector to Government (CEIG) clearance, Department of Telecommunications (DoT) licence, Fire Department NOCs for all 12 stations, and certifications related to civil works, signalling, telecommunications, track and rolling stock.
PITCMRL Chief Executive Officer Anil Kumar Saini said the approval marks a major milestone towards commissioning Metro Line 3.
PMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Abhijit Chaudhari said the safety clearance is expected to accelerate the commencement of passenger services, adding that the project will improve connectivity between Hinjawadi IT Park and Pune while helping reduce traffic congestion along the corridor.
Metro Line 3, being developed under a public-private partnership, will connect Hinjawadi and Shivajinagar through a 23.3-km elevated corridor with 23 stations. The newly approved Maan–Balewadi stretch is the first section of the line to receive CMRS clearance.