The 23 km Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar Metro corridor in Pune is approaching completion, with officials confirming that construction has reached about 94 per cent and system trials have already begun along the entire route.

Senior officials from the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) said efforts are underway to meet the planned April deadline for starting passenger operations, although a final approval letter from the project's concessionaire is still awaited before services can begin.

The elevated metro line is being developed by PMRDA in partnership with Pune IT City Metro Rail Ltd, a Tata Group-led consortium.

Once operational, the corridor will provide a crucial link between Pune's western IT hub in Hinjewadi and the city centre, while also integrating with the existing Pune Metro network at Shivajinagar.

News reports indicate that 15 to 17 of the 23 stations are close to completion, with most civil and structural works already finished.

"About 15-17 stations are nearly 90 per cent complete, and trial runs have been carried out along the entire route," an official was quoted as saying in a TOIreport.

Earlier, Pune Member of Parliament Murlidhar Mohol reviewed the progress of the project and noted that 13 stations could be ready by April, potentially allowing partial operations if approvals are granted.

"Commuter services will begin only after the concessionaire issues the required approval letter, which will also clarify whether partial operations, limited to the completed stations, can begin," another official was quoted as saying by TOI.