Pune commuters, especially those navigating the perennially congested corridors of Aundh, Shivajinagar, Baner, and Pashan, are on the cusp of significant relief. Two major infrastructure projects—the integrated double-decker flyover at SPPU Chowk and the Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar Metro Line 3—have reached critical milestones, promising to transform daily travel in the city's western suburbs.
Phased Opening of SPPU Flyover Ramps
The much-anticipated SPPU Chowk flyover, a complex double-decker structure integrating road and Metro traffic, is now 90% complete. While the main 1.3 km Aundh–Shivajinagar stretch opened in August last year, providing partial respite, the full benefit hinges on the remaining ramps. Authorities have announced a clear schedule for these final openings.
The Baner-side ramp is slated to open by the end of January 2026, followed closely by the Pashan-side ramp by the end of February 2026. Once operational, the entire flyover system, spanning 1.7 kilometres including all ramps, will allow seamless flow. The design sees two-lane up-ramps from Aundh and Baner merging into a three-lane double-decker bridge, while traffic from Shivajinagar splits into two-lane down-ramps towards Baner and Pashan.
Commuters Await Complete Relief
Daily travellers have acknowledged the improvement since the partial opening but stress that congestion persists, particularly during peak hours at University Chowk, where crossing can still take up to 45 minutes. The phased opening of the ramps is expected to gradually dissolve these bottlenecks. Officials confirm that asphalt work on the Shivajinagar–Baner stretch is finished and ramp construction is nearly done, pending minor utility clearances.
Once fully functional, the flyover is projected to dramatically cut travel times for thousands of daily commuters on the Aundh–Shivajinagar and Shivajinagar–Baner routes, offering a long-term solution to years of traffic snarls.
Metro Line 3 Clears Crucial Safety Hurdle
In a parallel development set to complement road decongestion, Pune Metro Line 3 (Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar) has successfully passed its safety inspection conducted by the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO). This statutory certification confirms that the Metro line meets all prescribed technical and safety standards, clearing the path for trial runs and eventual commercial operations.
Preparations are advancing rapidly on the metro front. Out of the 22 planned trainsets, 14 have already arrived in Pune for phased testing. Furthermore, civil, systems, and finishing works across metro stations are in their final stages, with most stations targeted for completion by March 31, 2026.
The synchronized progress of both projects highlights a coordinated approach to urban mobility. The double-decker flyover is literally and figuratively designed to work in tandem with the metro line above, promising a future of integrated, efficient transit for Pune's growing population.
