Pune: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to virtually inaugurate the 3.5 km underground metro stretch from Civil Court to Swargate on Sunday via a video link. This new metro section includes three stations - Kasba Peth, Mandai, and Swargate - which will help ease traffic congestion in Pune's core areas, relieve pressure on roads in various parts of the city, and improve connectivity between Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. Maha Metro officials, along with Pune's MP and Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, have confirmed the PM's virtual inauguration scheduled for Sunday. During the event, the PM will also lay the foundation for the Swargate to Katraj underground metro stretch and inaugurate the Solapur airport.

The PM was originally scheduled to inaugurate the Swargate metro stretch on Thursday and planned to travel via the metro from Civil Court to Swargate. However, heavy rain alerts led to the cancellation of his visit, delaying the metro services on this route. The stretch is expected to open for commuters soon, with options being explored for a virtual inauguration by the PM or rescheduling his visit. Executive director of Maha Metro Hemant Sonawane mentioned that the cancellation on Thursday was due to the weather alert, and further instructions from the state and central governments are awaited for the opening on Sunday. Despite the delay, commuters expressed their disappointment over not being able to use the metro as scheduled. They emphasized the importance of making the metro operational promptly, given that the project was funded by taxpayers, with the official inauguration ceremony being a separate event.VIPs have made themselves available. Ashish Deshpande, a regular metro commuter, expressed his disagreement with the delayed opening of the metro, pointing out that it is meant for commuters. He suggested that there is no need to wait for VIPs to inaugurate the service as they can do so at a later time. Many disappointed commuters are waiting to use the metro and authorities should start the services promptly, he added. Shivajinagar resident Virdas Khude mentioned that the metro line to Swargate was expected to be operational during Ganeshotsav. He expressed concerns about the uncertainty of when the stretch will actually open. Leaders of the MVA, including Congress and NCP (SCP), criticized the BJP's insistence on having the Prime Minister inaugurate the services, deeming it unnecessary. They threatened to open the route from Civil Court to Swargate on Friday if metro officials do not take action. Prashant Jagtap, the city unit president of NCP (SCP), stated that the non-operational status of the metro stretch is not benefiting the residents of Pune and that MVA supporters will gather at the Civil Court metro station and inaugurate the stretch for the convenience of the public. Congress MLA Ravindra Dhangekar criticized the BJP for wanting the PM to visit Pune for political reasons, suggesting that the metro stretch should be opened without delay for citizens. Commuters emphasize the need for a Graphic Facility. The 3.5km underground stretch from Civil Court to Swargate has three unopened stations at Kasba Peth, Mandai, and Swargate. Maha Metro has provided one entry-exit point in each of the three stations for commuters, with the rakes scheduled to run from 8.30pm on Thursday. Due to heavy rain, the possibility of holding the inauguration at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch was considered but later dismissed with the cancellation of the PM's visit.Leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stated that the construction work for the route was finished a month ago. However, due to the Prime Minister's unavailability, assets worth thousands of crores of rupees are currently idle. They emphasized that the project was funded by the money of Pune residents and taxpayers to alleviate traffic congestion.

The popularity of the metro has grown with the opening of more stations. The authorities should prioritize completing mass transport projects promptly instead of postponing their inauguration. A substantial amount of money has already been invested in constructing the metro infrastructure, which should be utilized efficiently.

Anant Naik, a resident of Kothrud, asserted that there is no requirement to delay inaugurations for VIPs, particularly for infrastructure projects like the metro that benefit a large portion of the population. Saili Ghodke, a college student, expressed that while there is no objection to inauguration ceremonies, they should not go against the interests of the citizens.