Pune Metro service from Civil Court to Swargate to be delayed as PM Modi cancels visit | Pune News
The last-minute cancellation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Pune to inaugurate the underground Metro rail route on Thursday will delay the opening of the service from Civil Court to Swargate to the public, the Pune Metro authorities said. They, however, said a final decision would be taken after discussing the matter with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
PM Modi was to inaugurate 11 projects, including the new line of Pune Metro, on Thursday. His visit had to be cancelled as inclement weather was predicted in the city that has been witnessing heavy rain for the past few days.
PM Modi was to commute in the train before addressing a rally at S P College Ground, where the administration erected a huge pandal and wooden flooring in the wake of heavy rain prediction. Besides, the authorities have also made arrangements at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch Hall as a substitute venue.
“The on-site inauguration is on hold as of now. So the public service of Pune Metro from Civil Court to Swargate will not start till the official inauguration. But there is a high-level discussion going on,” said Hemant Sonawane, executive director of Pune Metro.
According to another officer, the Pune Metro is in talks with the Prime Minister’s Office to see if the inauguration could be done in virtual mode as all preparations have been completed and the service could be opened for the public.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar late night on Wednesday reviewed the preparations and had expressed confidence that the function would be held without any problem.
Meanwhile, the Metro authorities have said that the Civil Court station will be open for the public throughout the day and existing Metro services will continue as usual.
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