Pune: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to virtually inaugurate the 3.5 km underground metro stretch from the Civil Court to Swargate on Sunday through a video link. The opening of three metro stations - Kasba Peth, Mandai, and Swargate - along this route will greatly reduce traffic congestion in central Pune, relieve pressure on roads in various areas, and enhance the connectivity between Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. Officials from Maha Metro, Pune's Member of Parliament, and Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol have confirmed the Prime Minister's virtual inauguration on Sunday. Additionally, he will lay the foundation stone for the underground metro stretch from Swargate to Katraj and inaugurate the Solapur airport. The PM's visit to inaugurate the Swargate metro stretch on Thursday was postponed due to heavy rain alerts, delaying the opening of the metro service from Civil Court to Swargate until a new date is announced. Despite this setback, efforts are being made to open the metro stretch for commuters at the earliest, either through a virtual inauguration by the PM or by rescheduling his visit. Metro officials are awaiting instructions from the state and central governments for the opening on Sunday. Commuters were disappointed on Thursday as they were unable to use the Metro to Swargate, expressing the urgency for the operationalization of the project which was funded by taxpayers, with the inauguration ceremony to follow at a later time.Available are the VIPs. Regular metro commuter Ashish Deshpande stated that delaying the metro's opening is illogical as it is meant for commuters. He expressed that there is no need to wait for VIPs to inaugurate it, as they can do so at any later time. Deshpande emphasized that many commuters waiting to use the metro are disappointed and urged authorities to start the services promptly.

Resident of Shivajinagar, Virdas Khude, mentioned that the metro line to Swargate was supposed to be operational during Ganeshotsav. He expressed uncertainty about how much longer commuters would have to wait for the stretch to open.

Leaders of the MVA, including the Congress and NCP (SCP), argued that the BJP's insistence on having the Prime Minister inaugurate the services was unnecessary. Members of the party threatened to open the Civil Court to Swargate route on Friday if metro officials did not take action.

Prashant Jagtap, the city unit president of NCP (SCP), emphasized that the non-operational status of the Civil Court to Swargate stretch was not beneficial to the people of Pune just because the Prime Minister's visit was cancelled. He announced that MVA supporters would gather at the Civil Court metro station to inaugurate the stretch for the convenience of the public.

Congress MLA Ravindra Dhangekar criticized the BJP's motivation for wanting the Prime Minister to visit Pune, attributing it to the upcoming assembly election. He expressed that the government could have opened the metro stretch without this event and accused them of seeking political advantage and wasting public funds. Dhangekar demanded that the metro stretch be opened promptly for the citizens.

Commuters stressed the necessity of a graphic facility. The Civil Court to Swargate route spans 3.5km underground with unopened stations at Kasba Peth, Mandai, and Swargate. Maha Metro has established one entry-exit point in all three stations for commuters, with rakes scheduled to start running from 8.30pm on Thursday. Due to heavy rain, the option of holding the inauguration at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch near Swargate was considered but ultimately dismissed following the PM's cancelled visit.Leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have highlighted that despite the completion of work on the route a month ago, assets worth thousands of crores of rupees are currently unused due to the unavailability of the Prime Minister. The project, funded by the money contributed by Pune residents and taxpayers, aims to alleviate traffic congestion. The Metro system has experienced increased popularity with the opening of more stations. The authorities should prioritize completing mass transportation projects promptly rather than delaying their inauguration. With a significant sum already invested in the construction of the metro, it is crucial to put the infrastructure to use for the benefit of the public. Residents like Anant Naik from Kothrud stress that inauguration ceremonies, especially for infrastructure projects like the metro, should not be held up waiting for VIP attendees. Saili Ghodke, a college student, adds that while there may be no objection to the inauguration event, it should not be at the expense of citizen interests.