Tomorrow, August !,  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will grace the city of Pune in Maharashtra. Among the significant events lined up for his visit is the conferral of the esteemed Lokmanya Tilak National Award. The award holds a special place as it was established by the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust in 1983, commemorating the legacy of Lokmanya Tilak. This prestigious recognition is bestowed upon individuals who have made remarkable and extraordinary contributions to the progress and development of the nation. Interestingly, the award presentation always takes place on the 1st of August, which coincides with the death anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak. The forthcoming ceremony will mark the 41st recipient of this esteemed award, an honor bestowed upon Prime Minister Modi.

The day will commence at approximately 11 am with the Prime Minister's visit to the sacred Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir in Budhwar Peth, where he will perform 'darshan and pooja.'

At 11:45 am, the award ceremony will take place, followed by several significant milestones. At around 12:45 pm, PM Modi will preside over the commencement of metro train services and will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various development projects. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has expressed that these initiatives mark essential steps towards realizing the vision of providing modern and environmentally friendly mass rapid urban transport systems across the country.

The metro train services will cater to crucial sections of Pune city, connecting significant locations such as Shivaji Nagar, Civil Court, Pune Municipal Corporation office, Pune RTO, and Pune Railway Station. The design of some metro stations along the route draws inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's legacy. For instance, the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Udyan Metro Station and Deccan Gymkhana Metro Station boast a unique design reminiscent of the headgear worn by soldiers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, known as "Mavala Pagadi." Additionally, the Shivaji Nagar underground Metro Station reflects the distinctive architecture of forts built by Shivaji Maharaj. Notably, the Civil Court Metro Station is one of the deepest in the country, reaching a depth of 33.1 meters, and features a well-designed station roof that allows direct sunlight to grace the platform.

Beyond the metro initiatives, PM Modi will also inaugurate the Waste to Energy Plant, an environmentally conscious project under the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Valued at about ₹300 crore, this facility will utilize approximately 2.5 lakh MT of waste annually to generate electricity, contributing to sustainable energy solutions.

Furthermore, PM Modi will take a significant step towards the mission of achieving "housing for all" by handing over more than 1,280 houses constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana by PCMC. Additionally, he will oversee the handover of more than 2,650 PMAY houses constructed by the Pune Municipal Corporation. The future also holds promise, with the laying of the foundation stone for around 1,190 PMAY houses by the PCMC and over 6,400 houses by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority.

As the city prepares for the Prime Minister's visit, the Pune City Traffic Police has issued traffic restrictions from 6 am to 3 pm at various locations, including Pune University Chowk, Simla Office Chowk, Sancheti Chowk, S. Go. Barve Chowk, Gadgil Putla Chowk, Budhwar Chowk, Sevasdan Chowk, Alka Chowk, Tilak Road, Jedhe Chowk, Fergusson College Road, Sangamwadi Road, Sadalbaba Chowk, Golf Club Chowk, and Airport Road. To minimize inconvenience, the transport department appeals to motorists to use alternative routes and avoid the designated areas. Furthermore, as a precautionary measure, the city police has banned the flying of drones during this time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Pune holds great significance as he sets the course for various developmental projects, honors the legacy of Lokmanya Tilak, and advocates for sustainable and inclusive growth.