Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Pune, Maharashtra, on August 1, during which he will partake in various significant events. The visit will begin with the Prime Minister performing ‘pooja’ at the revered Dagdusheth Mandir around 11 am, as stated by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Sharad Pawar, leader of one of the NCP factions will be on the stage. Many opposition are uneasy with the optics of Sharad Pawar sharing the stage with PM Modi. Some feel it may create confusion in opposition ranks and send mixed signals . Until now there is no change in Pawar’s plan to attend the function and share the stage with PM Modi.
At 11:45 am, PM Modi will be conferred the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award. Instituted by the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust in 1983, the award is bestowed upon individuals who have made remarkable and extraordinary contributions to the progress and development of the nation. It is presented annually on August 1, commemorating the death anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak. PM Modi will be the 41st recipient of this esteemed award, joining the ranks of notable figures such as Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, Pranab Mukherjee, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Indira Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, N. R. Narayana Murthy, and E. Sreedharan.
Following the award ceremony, at 12:45 pm, Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone for various development projects and inaugurate metro train services on completed sections of the Pune Metro Phase I. The newly operational metro corridors, from Phugewadi station to Civil Court station, and Garware College station to Ruby Hall Clinic station, will connect crucial areas of Pune city, including Shivaji Nagar, Civil Court, Pune Municipal Corporation office, Pune RTO, and Pune Railway Station.
The metro stations along the route have been uniquely designed, drawing inspiration from the rich history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Stations like Chhatrapati Sambhaji Udyan and Deccan Gymkhana mirror the traditional headgear of “Mavala Pagadi” worn by soldiers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Furthermore, the Shivaji Nagar underground Metro station bears resemblance to the formidable forts built by the iconic historical figure.
In addition to the metro inauguration, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the Waste to Energy Plant developed under the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). This eco-friendly plant, constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 300 crore, will utilise around 2.5 lakh MT of waste annually to generate electricity, contributing to sustainable waste management.
The Prime Minister will also advance the mission of providing housing for all by handing over more than 1,280 houses constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana by PCMC. Moreover, he will distribute over 2,650 PMAY houses built by the Pune Municipal Corporation, and lay the foundation stone for approximately 1,190 PMAY houses to be constructed by the PCMC, along with more than 6,400 houses developed by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority.
