Pune Metro inauguration scheduled for August 1

The inauguration of the Pune Metro stretch from Phugewadi to Shivajinagar, along with another stretch from Garware College to Ruby Hall Clinic, is scheduled for August 1.There is optimism among officials that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will grace the event with his presence, as he is likely to be in Pune on August 1 to receive the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak award.Both stretches have been completed and are all set for the inauguration, but the state government's official communication is still pending.The Commissioner of Railway Safety conducted a final inspection of the routes and granted approval for commencing services on both stretches. Now, they are waiting for the safety compliance certificate.The Phugewadi to Civil Court station section covers 6.9 km and includes four stations. On the other hand, the Garware College to Ruby Hall Clinic section spans 4.7 km and features seven stations, with some located underground.These newly constructed sections have linked significant locations in Pune, such as Shivajinagar, Civil Court, Pune Municipal Corporation office, Pune RTO, and Pune Railway Station. The Deccan Gymkhana and Sambhaji Udyan stations will provide easy access to bustling areas like Jungli Maharaj Road and Fergusson College Road.The Ruby Hall Clinic station will be conveniently located near Wadia College campus, benefiting students commuting in the area. Additionally, Pune Railway Station and Shivajinagar metro station have been integrated with the Pune railways, ensuring seamless connectivity for rail commuters.Local residents are eagerly looking forward to the opening of the Phugewadi-Shivajinagar route, as it is expected to bring significant improvements to the traffic situation in the area, as per Advocate Sushil Mancharkar.