Pune: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate the Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar Metro Line 3 online on Nov 3, with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis attending the programme in the city, Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) officials confirmed on Monday. Seventeen stations are expected to open for passenger services.Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) commissioner Abhijit Chaudhari said, “We have been told to keep everything ready for Nov 3. PM will join online for the event, with chief minister and other dignitaries to be present at the venue.” Officials said the function will be held at Balewadi stadium. Mahametro will also have a ground breaking ceremony of their phase 2 here, officials added.The proposed launch comes after repeated delays. IT employees waiting for the metro to ease their daily commute to Hinjewadi’s IT parks had hoped Modi’s proposed Baramati visit would pave the way for the opening, but its postponement had raised fresh uncertainty over the launch.On Sunday, Shiv Sena (UBT) neta Aaditya Thackeray questioned why commuters should have to wait for a formal inauguration when the cleared stretch could be opened for public use. He urged state govt to start services for residents’ convenience and hold a grand inauguration later when PM was available. He also raised concerns over poor roads, traffic congestion and civic infrastructure in Hinjewadi.The 23.3km corridor has received commissioner of metro railway safety (CMRS) clearance for 17 of its 23 stations. Inspections of two more stations near Balewadi have been completed, with clearances expected shortly. Four stations — RBI, Simla Chowk, Mahabaleshwar Chowk and Baner — remain pending approval.Sachin Londhe, president of the Pimpri Chinchwad Cooperative Housing Societies Federation, said IT employees had been following up with PMRDA and metro authorities since July 2025 but had yet to receive a positive response to their concerns.“We launched the online Unclog Hinjawadi IT Park petition in June 2025, which garnered 39,000 signatures in 40 days. The Metro is a crucial public transport link that can ease congestion and improve connectivity for IT employees. Its inauguration at the earliest is important to encourage greater use of public transport,” Londhe said. He said IT employees had also worked with civic and police authorities to improve traffic movement in Hinjewadi following a meeting with the chief minister in July 2025.The corridor, being implemented by PMRDA through a public-private partnership, is expected to ease congestion between Hinjewadi and central Pune. A Rs 426-crore plan for road improvements, traffic management and last-mile connectivity in the IT hub has also been approved.
