Line 3 opens to passengers on November 4
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar corridor, known as Line 3 or the Pink Line, according to Hindustan Times. Passenger services on the 23.2-km elevated line are scheduled to begin at 6am on November 4.
Route and stations
The line connects the Hinjewadi IT hub with Shivajinagar in central Pune and has 23 stations. In the initial phase, services will run from 17 stations, and the remaining stations will open in phases, the report said. The corridor is expected to ease the daily commute of many IT employees and other passengers.
Project model and operations
The corridor was built at an estimated cost of ₹8,313 crore. According to Hindustan Times, it is the first metro project in the country implemented under the design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) framework through a public-private partnership model, in line with the National Metro Rail Policy, 2017. The line will be operated entirely by women train operators, and about 30% of its electricity needs are planned to come from solar power.
Phase II foundation stone
Modi also laid the foundation stone for Pune Metro Phase II, which covers four proposed corridors: Lines 2A, 2B, 4 and 4A. The phase is estimated to cost around ₹13,500 crore. Areas to be served include Chandani Chowk, Vitthalwadi, Kharadi, Hadapsar, Magarpatta, Khadakwasla, Warje and Manik Baug. According to the report, the corridors are expected to offer interchange with the existing network and provide alternatives to private vehicles.