Pune, 9th October 2026: Daily trial runs are underway on Pune Metro Line 3, connecting Shivajinagar with Man and Hinjawadi. With work at 17 stations completed, 20 modern metro coaches delivered and around 90 train operators ready, the project is approaching the start of passenger services. However, commuters are still waiting for an official launch date as operational planning and the required safety clearances remain key steps.
More than 10 trial runs are being conducted every day to assess the metro's performance and punctuality. Officials are checking arrival and departure timings at each station, the duration of stops and the time required to complete the entire journey. Any deviation from the scheduled running time leads to further technical checks.
Sources said, "The timetable is being prepared to ensure that IT professionals, employees and students can use the metro at convenient times. Some work at Shivajinagar station remains pending, so the District Court station may initially be used as the operational endpoint."
Initially, the plan was to operate services across 12 stations at intervals of 15 minutes. With the route now covering 17 stations, officials are considering reducing the interval between trains to around 10 minutes.
Officials said, "The metro is expected to cover the distance between Man and Shivajinagar in approximately 35 minutes, stopping at all 17 stations. The final timetable and service frequency are still under review."
The 17 stations are Man, MIDC Circle Phase 2, Man Bus Stand, Hinjawadi Phase 2, Hinjawadi Phase 2 Circle 1, Padmabhushan Chowk, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk, Hinjawadi Phase 1, Wakad Chowk, Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex–Balewadi, MITCON–Balewadi, R. K. Laxman Museum–Balewadi, Aundh, Sakalnagar, Savitribai Phule Pune University, College of Agriculture and District Court.
Metro services require the necessary approvals from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety before passenger operations can begin. Despite progress on infrastructure, coaches and trial runs, the service has yet to receive an official opening date.
Rinaz Pathan, Chief Engineer at the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), said, "The technical checks and other related work have been completed. The timetable and service frequency have not yet been finalised, and work is underway to determine them."
The metro is expected to provide an alternative to road travel for commuters travelling between Hinjawadi's IT hubs and central Pune. However, passengers will have to wait for the final operational schedule and the required clearances before services begin.
