Pune Metro Line 3 opens to commuters, linking Hinjewadi IT Park with Shivajinagar

The metro that people in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad had awaited for years has finally begun running. Pune Metro Line 3, which connects the Hinjewadi IT Park with the city, was opened to passengers on Wednesday. The route runs from Shivajinagar to Hinjewadi.

The first train left Maan metro station in Hinjewadi at 6 am. Passengers welcomed the metro with cries of "Ganpati Bappa Morya". On the very first day, IT employees, working people and women passengers showed great enthusiasm.

Thousands of employees working at the Hinjewadi IT Park contend with traffic jams every day, and they hope the metro will bring relief. According to IT employee Kunal Dhande, it took him only 22 minutes to travel from R.K. Laxman station to TCS. Passengers also praised the two-wheeler parking beneath the stations and the easy ticketing system.

The metro also brings relief to women working in the IT sector. Travelling late at night by cab or private vehicle had meant discomfort and worry about safety; they now have public transport as another option.

Shivani Indre, the first woman passenger, said she had been waiting for the metro for several months. She said she used to feel afraid travelling by cab at night, but with the metro running, the journey has become safer and free of tension.

HR professional Dnyaneshwari Kangude said that earlier it took her about an hour and a half to travel by bus from Pimpri-Chinchwad to Baner. By metro, the same journey now takes about 40 minutes.

Passengers had mixed views on ticket prices. Some said the fares are somewhat expensive. They have demanded that monthly passes be introduced for those who travel daily.

Anil Saini, chief executive officer of Pune Metro Line 3, travelled on the metro himself on the first day and took feedback from passengers. He described it as a Diwali gift for the people of Pune. Saini also said that the remaining six stations, which are currently closed for technical reasons, will be reopened to passengers soon.