In a welcome move for revellers, the Pune Metro has announced it will keep its trains running throughout the night on New Year's Eve to ensure citizens have a safe and convenient journey home. The special service will operate from the night of December 31, 2025, into the early hours of January 1, 2026.
Special Night Service Details and Schedule
Typically, the Pune Metro wraps up its daily operations at 11 pm. However, for the New Year celebrations, this schedule will be extended significantly. The metro will operate a special night service from 11:00 PM on December 31 until 6:00 AM on January 1, 2026. During this period, trains will run at an interval of approximately 20 minutes.
Chandrashekhar Tambavekar, a spokesperson for Pune Metro, emphasized the initiative's goal. "To have a safe ride home, we encourage people to use metro services," he stated. He also noted that while the plan is for a train every 20 minutes, the frequency may be adjusted based on the actual passenger demand observed during the night.
Both of the network's major lines will remain operational for this special service. This includes the Aqua Line connecting Vanaz to Ramwadi and the Purple Line running from Swargate to PCMC. Regular metro services will resume from 6:00 AM on January 1 and continue until the usual closing time of 11:00 PM.
Current Status and Future Expansion of Pune Metro
This all-night service comes at a time when the Pune Metro network has been operating without a major new inauguration since the extension to the Swargate metro station was opened in 2024. However, several key projects are in the pipeline, poised to significantly expand the city's rapid transit footprint.
The most anticipated among these is the Shivajinagar-Hinjewadi route, which has faced prolonged delays. According to recent reports, this line is now expected to be opened in March 2026. An official from the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) confirmed that despite repeated extensions granted for its construction, no further delays will be permitted for this crucial IT corridor link.
Other ongoing works include the construction of the 4.5-km PCMC-Nigdi overhead extension of the Purple Line. In contrast, the proposed Swargate-Katraj underground extension of the Aqua Line is still in the planning stages, with physical work yet to commence.
A Safe and Smart Start to the New Year
The Pune Metro's official announcement urged passengers to "Celebrate the New Year with a safe, convenient, and smart journey with Pune Metro!" This proactive measure is designed to reduce reliance on private vehicles and app-based cabs during the festive night, potentially easing traffic congestion and promoting safer travel options for the public.
By offering this extended service, the Pune Metro authority is not only catering to the immediate needs of the city's residents during a major celebration but also reinforcing the system's role as a reliable and essential part of Pune's urban infrastructure. It sets a positive precedent for handling future large-scale public events and holidays.
