Almost five months past CIDCO officials had claimed they were all set to start the Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1, the much-awaited project is set to begin operations today without any VIP inauguration. The key project was scheduled to be inaugurated by the PM, but it was cancelled twice.

On Thursday, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed CIDCO to start operations from 3 pm today, “in the interest of residents”. The state government had planned to invite PM Modi to inaugurate the Metro project but it was cancelled twice as the PMO didn’t give the green signal. There were talks that Modi would visit Navi Mumbai to inaugurate the Metro Line 1, the Belapur-Uran railway line and Digha railway station. The Metro will commence operations tomorrow and there is no confirmation yet from the chief minister or the Prime Minister’s Office if Modi will inaugurate the remaining projects.