PM Modi inaugurates Pune Metro Line 3, says expansion will boost connectivity and economic growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the expansion of the Pune metro network will improve life, reduce commuting time and increase economic productivity as he virtually inaugurated the 23.2 km long Maan-Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar metro line and laid the foundation stone of four corridors under the second phase of the Pune Metro.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Modi said Pune has become an important hub for information technology, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, startups and manufacturing, making improvements in public transport essential for the city’s continued growth.

“Stronger metro connectivity here will give a new impetus to the development of Pune city,” Mr. Modi said.

The prime minister emphasized the link between urban mobility and economic growth, saying that cities are increasingly judged by their competitiveness and quality of life.

“When a city’s time is saved, its productivity increases. When productivity increases, the country’s economy gets stronger, and when the economy grows, both the poor and the middle class benefit,” he said.

New Pink Line of Pune Metro. File | Photo credit: ANI

Mr. Modi said metro expansion is not only about improving transportation but also about making cities more competitive and improving living standards. He added that better connectivity between Pune’s established neighborhoods and emerging commercial areas would help the city sustain economic growth.

The prime minister also highlighted the expansion of India’s metro network over the past 12 years, saying the operational network has grown from 248 km in 2014 to nearly 1,200 km, with services now available in 26 cities.

He said that more than one million passengers use metro services daily across the country, making India’s network among the three largest in the world.

PM Narendra Virtually Inaugurates Pune Metro Line 3 Along with Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for Phase 2 Projects | Photo Credit: @NarendraModi/YT via PTI

Referring to Maharashtra, Modi said the state has around 200 km of operational metro lines, while work is underway on more than 680 km of additional corridors, with investments in metro infrastructure exceeding Rs 2.5 crore.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model used to develop the Pune Metro Line 3 as an example of government-private collaboration that could accelerate infrastructure development.

Talking about broader urban development, Modi said the Center has approved the Urban Challenge Fund to attract investment and transform cities into hubs of economic growth. He called on local authorities and private companies to participate in the development of modern infrastructure that would improve the quality of urban life.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who attended the ceremony in Pune, said the Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar corridor will provide relief to thousands of IT professionals who often spend one to two hours commuting in traffic jams.

Fadnavis described the corridor as a “pink” metro, highlighting the contribution of women to its construction and operation.

He said around 120 km of metro corridors are either operational or under construction in Pune. He expressed the belief that Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and the wider metropolitan region will become a major hub for urban mobility by 2030, supported by the expansion of metros, electric buses, ring roads and other transport infrastructure.

Mr. Fadnavis also described metro projects as an “economic multiplier” and said investment in public transport would create jobs, attract businesses and boost economic activity.

He said the Center has provided ₹5,000 crore to develop the Pune metropolitan region as a major hub for urban infrastructure and economic growth. The funding would support efforts to strengthen connectivity and develop integrated transport infrastructure across the region.

The Chief Minister also recalled that Modi laid the foundation stone for the Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar corridor in 2018 and is now inaugurating the completed project.

Developed at a cost of ₹ 8,313 crore under a public-private partnership based on the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model, the newly inaugurated Pink Line connects Maan-Hinjawadi and Shivajinagar through 23 elevated stations along the 23,203 km long corridor.

The passenger service will start on 4 November, initially covering 17 stations, with the remaining six stations expected to be operational gradually by January 2028.

The corridor is expected to reduce the travel time between Hinjawadi and Shivajinagar to around 40-45 minutes. It will have 90 women trainers and women will make up 50% of the project workforce. Around 30% of its electricity consumption is expected to be covered by solar energy.

Developed by Tata Projects and Siemens, the project is to provide faster and more reliable connectivity to the Hinjawadi IT hub where thousands of employees travel daily from various parts of Pune.

Meanwhile, Pune Metro Phase II, estimated to cost around Rs 13,500 crore, will include four corridors aimed at extending connectivity to residential and commercial areas across the city.

These include Line 2A from Vanaz to Chandani Chowk (1.12 km), Line 2B from Ramwadi to Vitthalwadi (11.63 km), Line 4 from Kharadi to Khadakwasla (25.52 km) and Line 4A from Nal Stop to Manik Baug (6.12 km).

Together, the four corridors will add approximately 44.4 km to the Pune metro network and expand public transport access across the eastern, western and southern regions of the city.

During his speech, Mr. Modi also mentioned the difficulties faced by farmers in Maharashtra due to adverse weather conditions. He assured the affected families that the Center and the state government stand with them and extend assistance during the crisis.

The Prime Minister urged citizens to remember the drought-affected and needy farming families during the festive season and help ensure that they too can celebrate Diwali.

He said infrastructure development, job creation and poverty reduction remained central to the government’s efforts to improve people’s lives, adding that collective participation would be necessary to achieve the vision of a developed India.

Published – 03 Nov 2026 15:13 IST