Pune, 16 March 2026: City is set to witness a major expansion of its urban rail network, with the first phase of the Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar Metro corridor expected to begin operations around May, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Sunday.
The announcement came during the inauguration of Metro Bhavan, the administrative headquarters of MahaMetro near the Civil Court Metro Station in Pune.
The 23 km fully elevated metro corridor with 23 stations will connect Shivajinagar with Hinjewadi, which houses the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, the city’s largest IT cluster.
“Around 11 kilometres of the Hinjewadi–Shivajinagar metro line will likely start operations by May, while the remaining stretch may open by July,” said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Fadnavis said the Pune Metro project is progressing rapidly and has already become one of the fastest-developing metro networks in the country. Currently, metro services are operational on around 33 kilometres of routes, and the system has been receiving a strong response from commuters.
Considering Pune’s rapid urban growth, the state government plans to significantly expand the metro network. “As Pune continues to expand, the metro network will be extended to nearly 200 kilometres in the coming years. About 80 kilometres of routes have already been proposed,” Fadnavis said. The expansion aims to provide better public transport connectivity and reduce the city’s growing traffic congestion.
The chief minister also said that the government is working on several major infrastructure projects to improve mobility across the city. “Projects worth ₹30,000 to ₹35,000 crore, including roads, flyovers and tunnels, are being planned to make Pune a congestion-free city,” Fadnavis stated.
During the event, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar said the newly inaugurated Metro Bhavan represents the vision of a modern and technologically advanced Pune. “Metro Bhavan reflects the blend of technology, efficiency and environmental consciousness. It should become a centre dedicated to public service,” she said.
She added that Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are emerging as major growth engines for Maharashtra’s development.
Fadnavis also highlighted Pune’s growing importance in the global technology economy, stating that the city is becoming a hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs). “With the rise of Global Capability Centres, Pune is emerging as a major hub. This will create high-quality jobs and offer better salaries to the city’s youth,” he said.
Once known as the 'city of cycles,' Pune is now rapidly transforming into a metro city, with its expanding metro network becoming a key symbol of the city’s modern infrastructure and urban growth.
