Pune Metro Line III Completion Expected to be Delayed Until September 2025.

The completion of Pune's third Metro line, connecting Hinjawadi to Shivajinagar, is expected to be delayed until September 2025, as the project's concessionaire has requested an extension to the original deadline of March 2025, sources from the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) told TOI.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar are set to review the revised timeline, as the concessionaire has sought more time for the project's execution. PMRDA officials revealed that the integrated flyover segment, which stretches from University Chowk to E-square junction, was initially expected to be completed by December but is now projected to finish by March 2025.

The 23-km corridor is currently 74% complete overall, with the critical flyover component at 65%. "Construction of ramp and deck slabs is still pending. Additionally, we are awaiting certain permissions, so the 1.7-km flyover section will not be finished until April 2025," a source said. The integrated flyover is crucial, as operations cannot begin without it.

Fadnavis, as PMRDA chairman, and Pawar will discuss the updated timelines, officials confirmed. Earlier this year, Pawar had instructed the concessionaire to expedite the work and speed up traffic diversion approvals. Despite these directives, heavy traffic along the route has hindered the flyover’s completion. The concessionaire has deployed extra manpower to accelerate progress, but delays in acquiring necessary clearances for construction activities have prolonged the timeline.

Delays also occurred due to traffic congestion around Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) Chowk, where permissions for installing steel girders were withheld ahead of elections and Diwali. “Heavy traffic and VIP movement during the election period hindered continuous work,” a PMRDA official explained. The planned traffic diversions have not provided sufficient relief.

While stations between Maan and Balewadi Highstreet are expected to be operational by April 2025, challenges remain with station construction along the University Chowk stretch, which requires road widening and the removal of electricity poles.

The government previously instructed Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited to prioritize the completion of the flyover from SPPU to E-Square by November, expediting traffic diversion and road widening approvals to minimize commuter inconvenience.

In addition to earlier funding, the Centre recently approved an additional ₹200 crore as part of viability gap funding for the project, bringing the total released amount to approximately ₹600 crore of the ₹1,200 crore committed.

ET