Pune Metro Line 3, a 23.3 km corridor from Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar via Balewadi, is preparing to commence operations in September. The project will provide a direct public transport link to Hinjewadi, one of the city's major IT and employment centres, and will connect it with key urban districts. Trial runs are under way and officials have indicated that trains can reach speeds of 80 kmph. Testing has included system checks and staff training to ready services for passengers.\n\nThe first phase covers nearly eight km between Maan and Balewadi, with 12 stations declared ready and five additional stations awaiting inspection by the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety. Construction began in 2022 and the authority has said the project has entered its final stage. Engineers from the implementing consortium and local representatives surveyed progress this week and reviewed integration schedules.\n\nA senior engineer at the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority stated that the authority has submitted proposals for regulator inspection of the pending stations and is awaiting a response. The initial stretch will offer commuters an alternative to the congested entry corridors of the city and help to ease traffic pressure on main roads. Operations on the complete corridor will connect commuters across residential and commercial zones and support daily mobility needs.\n\nLocal elected representatives and members of the project team reviewed systems integration and readiness for passenger services during recent site visits, and the consortium partners affirmed readiness to support commissioning. Officials said final clearances and scheduling will determine the inauguration timeline while noting plans for a September opening. Coordination with city transport agencies was described as necessary for last mile connectivity planning. The development is presented as a significant enhancement to urban mobility in Pune.