Pune Metro was expected to begin its first commercial operations between Rangehills and Pimpri commencing from December 2020, according to the schedule designed by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (Maha-Metro). The metro work has been delayed for years now, after four years of the long wait it was about start its operations but pandemic lockdown did not allow to happen that.
Pune Metro project was started in December 2016, and the trials of the first train were successful in January 2020. However, the metro project has been affected due to the ongoing Coronavirus disease (COVID19) pandemic.
According to media reports, Maha-metro public relations officer Hemant Sonawane, said, ‘We aren’t sure whether the metro will start in December or not because of the shortage of workers. Even if we start the operation, it will be between Phugewadi to Sant Tukaram Nagar only’.
Lockdown has forced millions of migrant workers to go back to their hometown. Lack of workers and strick lockdown regulations has delayed the operations of Metro in Pune.