Navi Mumbai metro inauguration by PM on Oct 30?

The Navi Mumbai Metro Project is expected to be inaugurated on October 30 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to an internal communication. The project, which has been delayed for 12 years, received final approval in June and has been eagerly awaiting the Prime Minister's presence for inauguration. The letter requesting necessary rectifications for the inauguration has been confirmed as authentic by CIDCO sources, but the organization has not officially confirmed the inauguration. There are also reports that PM Modi will launch the Namo Women Empowerment Campaign on the same day.

Navi Mumbai

HT Image

The much delayed Navi Mumbai Metro Project is likely to take off on October 30 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating it, if an internal CIDO communication is to be believed. CIDCO has refused to officially confirm the inauguration.

The inauguration of the Metro service in the city has long been awaiting the Prime Minister’s presence. The final permission had come in June, when the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) issued the certificate to CIDCO to start commercial operations between Central Park and Belapur station, which is Line No. 1 of the project. It has been 12 years since the commencement of the project.

While there has been speculation on several dates for the inauguration, lately, the authorities have been in active mode, sprucing up the areas and holding meetings.

Now, a letter dated October 20, 2023, written by CIDCO Superintending Engineer (Metro) Santosh Ombhase to Maha-Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. has surfaced. Maha –Metro has completed the project and also appointed for operation and maintenance of the service on Line 1 by CIDCO.

The letter informs Maha-Metro that the inauguration of the metro line is scheduled on 30th October 2023 by the auspicious hands of Hon’ble Prime Minister.’ It asks the agency to carry out necessary rectifications based on the observations made by a CIDCO team following inspection of the metro stations. The agency has been asked to treat the communication as most urgent.

CIDCO sources have confirmed the authenticity of the letter. However, when contacted, CIDCO public relations officer Priya Ratambe said, “We do not have any official confirmation on the inauguration.”

Meanwhile, there are also reports that PM Modi is set to launch the Namo Women Empowerment Campaign, as well, on the day near the Navi Mumbai airport site. He is expected to address around 1 lakh women from self-help groups on the occasion as per the plan for which various government agencies are said to be coordinating.

Box

Metro Rail 12 years in the making received final approval in June

CIDCO’s ambitious Navi Mumbai Metro Project Line No. 1 took 12 years to complete. The final permission came in June, when the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) issued the certificate to CIDCO to start commercial operations between Central Park and Belapur station.

Chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis during their visit to the city in June, had declared that the metro service will start in the city as soon as the CMRS certification is received.

CIDCO vice chairman and managing director Anil Diggikar, on receiving the CMRS certification, had said, “The receipt of the CMRS certificate will enable us to start commercial operations on the Belapur to Pendhar stations for the residents of Navi Mumbai soon.”

That soon has not yet happened. Said a CIDCO official said, “The project is ready and permissions received. We have started working towards the inauguration which will happen soon.”