PM Modi Pune visit: In view of a heavy rains alert, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Pune, Maharashtra, on Thursday (September 26) has been cancelled, said sources. He was to arrive at Pune airport at 5:35 pm today.
On Wednesday (September 25), Pune city witnessed heavy rains in the evening and there was water-logging in several areas. IMD has issued an orange alert for Thursday in the Pune district. The Pune district administration has also issued orders to keep schools and colleges in Pune city as well as the Pimpri Chinchwad area closed today given a heavy rainfall alert.
PM Modi was scheduled to flag off metro train
Prime Minister Modi was scheduled to flag off a Metro train in Pune. He was also scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation various projects worth over Rs 20,900 crore.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, the inauguration of the Pune Metro section from District Court to Swargate will mark the completion of Phase-1 of the Pune Metro Rail Project. The cost of the underground segment between District Court and Swargate is around Rs 1,810 crore.
Further, PM Modi wad to lay the foundation stone for the Swargate-Katraj Extension of Pune Metro Phase-1 to be developed at the cost of around Rs 2,950 crore. This southern extension of around 5.46 km is completely underground with three stations namely Market Yard, Padmavati and Katraj.
Mumbai rains
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai and its adjoining districts Thane, Palghar, and Raigad for Thursday morning (September 26). The hefty rainfall in Mumbai prompted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to announce a holiday for all schools and colleges today. Schools and colleges in Thane, Palghar, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad will also be closed following heavy rains. The Mumbai civic body and police have advised all people in the city and surrounding areas to stay indoors as much as possible.
In the aftermath of heavy rains in Mumbai on Wednesday (September 25), a 45-year-old lady drowned in an open drain in the MIDC area of Andheri. The incident occurred at around 9:20 pm near gate number 8 of MIDC, Andheri East, BMC officials said. The victim was identified as Vimal Anil Gaikwad.
