Pune: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to virtually inaugurate the 3.5 km underground metro stretch from 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 significantly alleviate traffic congestion in Pune's central areas, ease road pressure in various regions, and enhance 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 virtual inauguration scheduled for Sunday. Moreover, the PM will also lay the foundation for the underground metro stretch from Swargate to Katraj and inaugurate the Solapur airport.

Regarding the delayed inauguration, the PM's visit to inaugurate the Swargate metro stretch was initially planned for Thursday, including a trip on the metro from Civil Court to Swargate. However, due to a heavy rain alert, the visit was canceled, resulting in a temporary halt on metro services between Civil Court and Swargate for citizens until a new opening date is announced. The city's BJP unit president Dheeraj Ghate mentioned that efforts were being made to open the stretch for commuters promptly, either through a virtual inauguration by the PM or rescheduling his visit.

Despite commuters expressing their disappointment over the delayed operationalization of the Metro, the project's funding from taxpayers' money has been highlighted, emphasizing the urgency for immediate functionality while the official inauguration can take place subsequently.The VIPs are ready to use the metro. Ashish Deshpande, a regular metro rider, expressed frustration over the delay in opening the metro for commuters. He stated that it is unnecessary to wait for VIPs to inaugurate the metro, as they can do so at a later time. Many commuters who are eagerly waiting to use the metro are disappointed. Deshpande urged the authorities to start the metro services as soon as possible. Virdas Khude, a resident of Shivajinagar, mentioned that the metro line to Swargate was expected to be operational during Ganeshotsav. He expressed uncertainty about how much longer commuters would have to wait for the metro stretch to open. MVA leaders, including Congress and NCP (SCP) politicians, argued that the insistence of the BJP on having the PM inaugurate the services was unnecessary. They 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 keeping the Civil Court to Swargate stretch non-operational due to the cancellation of the PM's visit does not benefit the citizens. He announced that MVA supporters would gather at the Civil Court metro station on Friday morning to inaugurate the stretch for the convenience of the people. Congress MLA Ravindra Dhangekar criticized BJP's motives, suggesting that the government could have opened the Civil Court to Swargate stretch without the need for a political event. He demanded that the metro stretch be opened promptly for the public. Commuters are calling for improved facilities, such as graphics, in the metro stations. The Civil Court to Swargate stretch is a 3.5km underground route with three stations yet to be opened at Kasba Peth, Mandai, and Swargate. Maha Metro has prepared one entry-exit point in all three stations for commuters, with the metro rakes scheduled to operate from 8.30pm on Thursday. Due to heavy rain, the possibility of holding the inauguration at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch, an enclosed hall near Swargate, was considered on Thursday morning but later abandoned following the PM's cancelled visit.A month ago, work on the route for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was completed, but assets amounting to thousands of crores of rupees remain unused due to the unavailability of the Prime Minister, as per AAP leaders. This project, funded by Puneites and taxpayers, was intended to alleviate traffic congestion. The popularity of the metro has grown with the opening of additional stations. Priority should be given to completing mass transport projects promptly, rather than delaying their inauguration. Significant funds have already been dedicated to constructing the metro, so the infrastructure should be utilized. Anant Naik, a resident of Kothrud, stressed that there is no necessity to wait for VIPs to inaugurate projects such as the metro that benefit a large population. Saili Ghodke, a college student, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that while there is no opposition to inauguration events, they should not go against the citizens' interests.