Pune IT Commuters Face Further Delay as Election Code Halts Metro Line 3 Launch

Commuters in Pune, particularly IT professionals working in Hinjewadi, will have to wait longer for the opening of Metro Line 3. The long-awaited service connecting Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar has encountered a fresh delay following the enforcement of the election Model Code of Conduct for upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council elections.

On Tuesday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced schedule details for five Legislative Council seats across Maharashtra, including the Pune Division Graduates’ and Teachers’ constituencies. ECI Secretary Suman Kumar Das confirmed that the Model Code of Conduct took immediate effect across the respective constituencies and will remain active through late October.

Impact on Metro Line 3 Operations

Developed under the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), Metro Line 3 has suffered multiple timeline revisions. Although the line secured necessary safety clearances from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) in July, the public inauguration remained pending while state leadership sought a date for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lead the opening ceremony.

With the election code now in effect, official inaugurations and public launches cannot take place until voting concludes. A PMRDA official confirmed that while 12 stations are fully operational and ready for passengers, the public rollout must wait until election restrictions are lifted after October.

System Integration and Expanded Scope

The delay provides PMRDA additional time to complete work on five extra stations. Authorities now plan to include these additional stops alongside the initial 12 planned for Phase 1, bringing more stations online simultaneously.

Once fully operational, Metro Line 3 will span 23 stations. The route is designed to seamlessly integrate with Pune’s two existing operational metro corridors (PCMC to Swargate and Vanaz to Ramwadi). For thousands of daily commuters navigating severe road traffic to the Hinjewadi tech hub, the elevated rail line remains a crucial infrastructure milestone, though its final opening now rests on the post-election calendar.