Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Pune on August 1, where he will embark on a day of significant events, including the inauguration of metro train services on completed sections of the two corridors of Pune Metro Phase I. A notable highlight of the visit will be the presentation of the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award, which recognizes individuals who have made remarkable and extraordinary contributions to the progress and development of the nation.
The Lokmanya Tilak National Award is conferred annually on the 1st of August, coinciding with the death anniversary of the eminent freedom fighter, Lokmanya Tilak. The award ceremony will take place at around 11:45 am, following a special Darshan and Pooja at the revered Dagdusheth Mandir.
The Prime Minister will then proceed to flag off the metro trains at 12:45 pm, signifying the commencement of services on completed sections of Pune Metro Phase I. These sections include the stretch from Phugewadi station to Civil Court station and Garware College station to Ruby Hall Clinic station. The new metro lines will significantly enhance connectivity between key locations within Pune city, including Shivaji Nagar, Civil Court, Pune Municipal Corporation office, Pune RTO, and Pune Railway Station.
The inauguration of the metro trains represents a crucial step towards realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of providing modern and environmentally friendly mass rapid urban transport systems throughout the country.
The design of certain metro stations on the route draws inspiration from the architectural heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Notably, the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Udyan Metro Station and Deccan Gymkhana Metro Station feature unique designs resembling the headgear worn by soldiers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, known as “Mavala Pagadi.” Additionally, the Shivaji Nagar underground Metro Station boasts a distinctive design reminiscent of the forts built by the iconic ruler.
Furthermore, the Civil Court Metro Station is noteworthy for being one of the deepest metro stations in the country, with its deepest point at 33.1 meters. The station’s innovative design allows direct sunlight to fall on the platform, creating an aesthetically pleasing and functional space.
Apart from the metro inauguration, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Waste to Energy Plant under Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, which will utilize approximately 2.5 lakh MT of waste annually to produce electricity.
In addition to these development projects, the Prime Minister will contribute to the Housing for All initiative by handing over more than 1280 houses constructed under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana by PCMC. He will also present more than 2650 PMAY houses constructed by Pune Municipal Corporation. As a further commitment to affordable housing, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for around 1190 PMAY houses to be constructed by PCMC and over 6400 houses built by Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority.
During this visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive the Lokmanya Tilak National Award, making him the 41st recipient of this esteemed accolade. Past awardees have included prominent figures such as Shankar Dayal Sharma, Pranab Mukherjee, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Indira Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, N R Narayana Murthy, and E Sreedharan, among others.
The upcoming events in Pune demonstrate the government’s dedication to enhancing urban infrastructure and providing essential services and housing to citizens. The Prime Minister’s visit promises to be a momentous occasion for the city and its development aspirations.
Sources By Agencies
