New Delhi, 03 November (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Pune Metro’s 23-km Line 3, popularly known as the Pink Line, and lay the foundation stone for four new corridors under Phase II via video conferencing today on Tuesday. The projects, involving a combined investment of approximately Rs. 21,800 crore, are aimed at significantly expanding the city’s public transport network and improving connectivity between its major residential, commercial and information technology hubs.

The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Pink Line, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 8,300 crore, at 12.30 pm and address the gathering. The physical event will be held at the Shree Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune, in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other dignitaries.

Stretching approximately 23 kilometres, the corridor connects Maan with the District Court Metro station, establishing Metro connectivity between the Hinjewadi IT hub and Shivajinagar. The new line is expected to make daily commuting easier for thousands of IT professionals and other passengers while improving access to some of Pune’s major employment and commercial centres.

The corridor will be integrated with the existing Metro network, enabling smoother movement between different parts of the city. It is also expected to reduce dependence on private vehicles, ease traffic congestion and help curb vehicular emissions.

A distinctive feature of the Pink Line is that it will be operated entirely by women train operators, marking an initiative to promote greater participation of women in public transport operations. The project also incorporates measures to improve environmental sustainability, with around 30 per cent of its total electricity requirements envisaged to be met through solar power.

Alongside the inauguration, Modi will lay the foundation stone for Phase II of Pune Metro, estimated to cost approximately Rs. 13,500 crore. The expansion will comprise four corridors — Lines 2A, 2B, 4 and 4A — designed to strengthen connectivity across the city’s rapidly developing residential, commercial and IT districts.

Under the proposed expansion, Lines 2A and 2B will together cover approximately 12.75 kilometres. Line 2A will connect Vanaz with Chandani Chowk, while Line 2B will extend from Ramwadi to Vitthalwadi, further expanding the existing east-west Metro network.

Line 4, spanning approximately 25.52 kilometres, will connect Kharadi with Khadakwasla. The 6.12-km Line 4A will provide connectivity between Nal Stop and Manik Baug.

The expanded network will serve several important locations, including Kharadi, Magarpatta, Hadapsar, Swargate, Manik Baug, Nanded City, Pune Cantonment and Warje. The eastern extension between Ramwadi and Vitthalwadi is expected to improve access to the growing residential, commercial and IT centres of Kharadi and Wagholi.

The proposed corridors will also be integrated with intercity bus services and the existing Pune Metro network through interchange facilities at Swargate, Nal Stop and Kharadi Bypass. These connections are intended to facilitate seamless transfers between different modes of transport and improve accessibility across the metropolitan region.

The projects represent a major expansion of Pune’s urban transport infrastructure, with the broader objective of providing commuters with a more integrated, efficient and sustainable public transportation system.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar