Nagpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nagpur on March 30 is nearly confirmed. According to a report in a local Hindi daily, Modi will attend the inauguration of Madhav Netralaya’s new building at 10 am on that day. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat will also be present at the event.
This will be the first time since Modi became Prime Minister that he will share the stage with Bhagwat. The new Madhav Netralaya building is located on Hingna Road, near Vasudev Nagar Metro Station, covering 6.8 acres. The event will also be attended by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Govind Giri Maharaj, and Awadheshanand Maharaj.
Gold Rate
Thursday 13 March 2025
Possible political signals?
Madhav Netralaya is an eye institute and research centre affiliated with the RSS, and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has accepted the invitation to its inauguration, the report added.
Notably, ideological differences between Bhagwat and BJP have surfaced in recent times, especially concerning his statements on mosques, Hindu-Muslim relations, and places of worship. During the Prayagraj Kumbh, Bhagwat’s remarks led to disagreements among saints, adding to the controversies. Given this backdrop, Modi and Bhagwat sharing a stage could have significant political implications.
Earlier, a similar effort was made to bring Modi and Bhagwat together for the inauguration of an RSS-affiliated cancer institute in Nagpur, but it was unsuccessful. Instead, Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit was scheduled, but he cancelled his trip at the last moment despite confirming his presence.
PM may flag off NMC’s e-buses in June
In another development, PM Modi is expected to inaugurate 125 electric buses in Nagpur in June, the Hindi newspaper said in another report.
The PM e-Bus Seva Yojana was launched on August 16, 2023, by the Central Government, covering 200 cities across India. Under this scheme, 10,000 electric buses will be deployed through the PPP model, with the JBM Group from Delhi being the main supplier. Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) transport department is set to receive 150 e-buses under this initiative.
The Central Government has assigned both NMC and the implementing agency the task of setting up charging infrastructure. Among all cities, Nagpur has taken the lead by establishing charging stations at Koradi and Khapri. This has paved the way for PM Modi’s likely inauguration of 125 e-buses in June. The NMC administration is expediting work to ensure the charging stations are completed on time.
Additionally, charging facilities for 230 e-buses are being developed at Hingna, Wadi, and Wathoda.
Under the PM e-Bus Seva Fund, NMC’s transport department has secured a grant for 150 air-conditioned electric buses. The JBM Group is responsible for supplying these buses, expected to be delivered in June.
To support these buses, charging stations are being set up at two locations:
• Koradi: NMC has leased land from the Metropolitan Region Development Authority for ₹2.5 lakh per month. An ₹18 crore grant has been sanctioned for power infrastructure, along with ₹11 crore for civil works.
• Khapri: NMC has acquired land from the Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation for setting up a charging station. The process to finalize a location near Chungi Naka is underway.
With these efforts, Nagpur has emerged as a frontrunner in electric bus infrastructure development across India.
