• By Soumyaroop Mukherjee
  • Fri, 26 Sep 2025 03:45 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Pune Metro Updates: To meet the growing demand of the passengers within the city, the Pune Metro is set to introduce ‘driverless’ train services for the upcoming Phase Two of the metro project. The proposed plan is set to be implemented on the Khadakwasla to Kharadi route.

“Keeping in view of rising ridership demand and passenger transshipment, Pune Metro to implement Driverless or Unattended Train Operation (UTO mode) in greenfield Metro lines of Pune Metro Rail Projects,” said Vinod Agarwal, Director, Systems and Operations, Maha-Metro, which is implementing the Pune Metro project, quoted by the Indian Express.

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According to Agarwal, the UTO operations help reduce human errors and increase punctuality while improving the quality of the Metro services at the same time. Currently, the UTO operations are implemented on the metro lines of Delhi (Pink and Magenta), Mumbai (line 2,4 and 7) and Chennai (designed for Phase II). 

Before launching the driverless trains, officials will assess the line with the help of a consultant and do a detailed study of the entire route on which the UTO operations will be implemented. 

Currently, all the metro trains run under the Attended Train Operation (ATO), where drivers have to start the Metro rail and oversee the operations while also closing the train doors using manual control. However, once these trains start operating in the ‘Unattended’ mode, all these manual operations will be replaced by automated ones. 

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Pune Metro Phase II

The Pune Metro Phase II was approved by the Centre back in June 2025. The proposed plan includes two stretches: Vanaz to Chandani Chowk (Corridor 2A) and Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi (Corridor 2B). These two elevated corridors will cover a distance of 12.75 km and include 13 stations. Phase II will connect rapidly developing areas such as Chandani Chowk, Bavdhan, Kothrud, Kharadi, and Wagholi. 

The project is scheduled to be completed in 4 years with an estimated cost of Rs 3,626.24 crores. The money will be equally split among the Government of India, the Government of Maharashtra, and external bilateral/multilateral agencies. 

The Phase II metro is seen as a strategic expansion to unlock the financial capabilities of the city and enhance its urban transport infrastructure. 

Stations on Khadakwasla to Kharadi route: 

  • Khadakwasla, Dalvewadi

  • Nanded City

  • Dhayari Phata

  • Manik Baug

  • Hingane Chowk

  • Rajaram Bridge

  • Deshpande Udyan

  • Dandekar Pul

  • Swargate North

  • Seven Loves Chowk

  • PCB

  • Race Course

  • Fatima Nagar

  • Ramtekdi

  • Hadapsar

  • Magarpatta South

  • Magarpatta Main

  • Magarpatta North

  • Hadapsar Railway Station

  • Sainath Nagar

  • Kharadi Chowk