Modi inaugurates Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar Pink Line metro in Pune, services start Wednesday

The Hinjewadi metro, long awaited by residents of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, is finally set to begin running. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by video conference on Tuesday (the 3rd), dedicated to the public and laid the foundation stone for Pune Metro projects worth Rs 21,800 crore in all. Mr Modi also addressed those present at the event.

At the same event, Pune Metro Line 3, the Pink Line, was opened to the public. It has cost more than Rs 8,300 crore to build. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Sunetra Pawar and Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol were among the dignitaries present. The foundation stone was also laid for Phase 2 of Pune Metro, at a cost of Rs 13,500 crore.

The Pink Line runs between Hinjewadi IT Park and Shivajinagar and is about 23 km long. It connects Maan station with District Court metro station. Hinjewadi is a major employment centre of Pune. It is now directly linked to the heart of the city, which will bring big relief to thousands of IT employees and other commuters who travel daily. For Pune Metro, the MRDA has fixed the official fares by distance, in line with the concession agreement.

The Phase 2 project whose foundation stone the Prime Minister laid includes some Pune Metro routes. It will spread the metro network in every direction of the city.

The first train will leave at 6 am. Trains will run every 6 minutes in peak hours and every 12 minutes at other times. The last train from Maan station towards District Court will leave at 10.30 pm, while the last train from District Court towards Maan will leave at 11.40 pm.

District Court station has a direct interchange with Maha Metro's Line 1 and Line 2. A common app and an NCMC card will also be available to passengers. Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar metro services will start for passengers on Wednesday.