Pune Metro Line-3 Makes Swift Progress: Enters Final Phase With 80 Per Cent Of Pillars Erected In A Record 17 Months

The Pune Metro Line-3 project, proposed to link Hinjewadi's IT hub with Shivaji Nagar's central hub, is currently making swift progress.

The installation of piers for the 22.3 km corridor is now in its final phase, setting a remarkable record by being completed in just 17 months.

This project entailed the erection of 923 pillars, of which around 80 per cent, or 715 piers, have been successfully finished.

On 14 September, the 715th pillar for the metro was installed in the vicinity of Krishi Mahavidyalaya Chowk along Ganeshkhind Road. This milestone also signifies the commencement of the final phase of pier erection for the corridor, reports MetroRailNews.

The 23 km fully elevated corridor connects the bustling IT hub of Hinjewadi, with the central business district of Shivajinagar, with 23 stations on the way connecting Baner Road, Balewadi, Aundh and Pune University. 

The construction of Line-3 in the city is undertaken by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) and the Tata-Siemens partnership. The corridor was tendered and awarded on a PPP (public private partnership) model. 

Previously, the commencement of construction on Line-3 was delayed due to Covid-related challenges and work finally began in March 2022. However, the progress has been rapid since then. 

In addition to the pile erection work, the Pile Cap Work for the corridor has also entered its last phase — with 810 out of 923 pile caps now completed, as per reports.  

The new line will serve a significant population as it will run on a key route, outside the city centre. This network will connect some of the newly emerging areas, which will serve close to 300,000 Pune employees for daily commute and will be an important route to bring some relief from long traffic jams.

Also, this corridor will connect the Civil Court interchange station with a skywalk from where the passengers will be able to commute on the existing north-south corridor (Purple line) and east-west corridor (Aqua line).

The 17.5-km purple line from Pimpri Chinchwad to Swargate and 15.7-km Aqua line from Vanaz to Ramwadi are partially operational and would be fully operational by this year-end.