PUNE: The safety inspections of the 3.5km Civil Court to Swargate underground Metro stretch are likely to get over in the next two days, paving way for its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the city on Sept 26-27.
Though an official schedule of the PM’s visit is yet to be announced, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday announced in Pune that the Prime Minister would visit the city for Metro inauguration.
A team from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) has been checking the Civil Court-Swargate underground stretch over the last few days. Maha Metro officials said they were in the process of completing the necessary formalities required to obtain the certification. “CMRS clearance is expected early next week,” an official said.
Besides inaugurating the underground Metro stretch, Modi will also lay the foundation of the Metro’s Swargate to Katraj extension. Sources said a proposal had been tabled for the PM’s travel in the Metro between Civil Court and Swargate stations, though the programme was yet to be finalised. “Modi had travelled in the Metro during the inauguration of the stretch till Garware College. We hope that he will take a ride on Metro between the Civil Court and Swargate section after launching the service,” a source said.
A detailed schedule of the PM’s visit is expected to be announced by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Officials from the civic and district administrations said preliminary meetings had been held to discuss the preparations for the PM’s visit. “Modi might address a gathering at an open ground within the city’s central area after the inauguration of the Metro stretch,” the source said.
BJP workers from the city are keen on the PM’s visit ahead of the state assembly elections. A BJP city unit functionary said BJP-led govts in the Centre and state were instrumental in putting the Pune Metro project on the fast track. “PM Modi had laid the foundation of the 33km long two Metro routes (PCMC-Swargate and Vanaz-Ramwadi). Later, he inaugurated a section of the two routes too. Now, he will launch the remaining stretch. This shows that the party delivers on its promises,” a functionary said.
Fadnavis, while addressing a function in Pune on Saturday, said Metro services were in expansion mode in the city and that govt was offering all possible support for its expansion. Over 3 lakh commuters travelled in the Metro on the immersion day of Ganeshotsav.
Sources from the administration said besides the Civil Court to Swargate underground route, two more Metro extensions — Vanaz to Chandni Chowk and Ramwadi to Wagholi — are likely to receive final approval ahead of the PM’s visit.
