Pune: Opposition party members in the state and IT professionals’ forums have demanded the govt begin operations of the Shivajinagar-Hinjewadi Metro route at the earliest without waiting for a formal launch function, after CM Devendra Fadnavis said he had invited the Prime Minister Narendra to inaugurate the line.IT professionals working in the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi have been complaining about lack of infrastructure and public transport to the IT Park.President of the Forum for IT Employees Pavanjit Mane told TOI: “Over 5 lakh employees work in the IT Park and face immense hardships due to lack of infrastructure. The opening of the Metro route will allow them a convenient mode of transport and reduce traffic on the streets.”“The Metro route should have opened before monsoon. The project has missed the deadline several times and should be opened without further delay. We heard the PM will inaugurate the route which is why it is taking time. Additionally, if PM Narendra Modi comes to Hinjewadi, he should give five to 10 minutes to us IT professionals to put forward our issues,” Mane added.The Metro Line 3 connects Shivajinagar with Hinjewadi. On July 23, the commissioner of Metro Rail Safety granted permission to commence operations for the first phase of the route. Fadnavis on Tuesday said that during his recent visit to New Delhi, he met PM Modi and invited him for the inauguration.Meanwhile, opposition has criticised the state govt for delaying the opening in wait of a formal launch.Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray said, “State govt should give respite to IT professionals from traffic congestion by starting the Metro route at the earliest. It can organise the formal launch later. Unfortunately, this govt is more interested in inaugural functions than resolving people’s problems.”
