The ribbon is waiting to be cut, Mr CM

Delays come in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes, they come in the form of inaugurations. Thanks to Chief Minister Prithiviraj Chauhan, the inaugurations of three major CIDCO projects -- namely the metro rail in Navi Mumbai, the golf course in Kharghar and the mass-housing scheme in Kharghar - have been postponed. Not once, but three. And, now CIDCO is not sure when the inauguration will be held as code of conduct is in force due to local elections in Raigad.

CIDCO is set to start construction of metro rail station. However, the next phase cannot not be started, as the official inauguration is still pending. File Photo

The civil construction of the viaduct first line of Navi Mumbai metro rail has already started and now CIDCO is set to start construction of metro rail station. However, the next phase cannot be started, as the official inauguration is still pending. "We have been working as per the schedule and we are likely to complete the first line of the metro project in time, but a delay in commencement of the construction of the station will extend the deadline. The inauguration programme has been postponed three times in a month and it is not likely to be done in the next few days. So we should be allowed to carry on construction of metro station, so that it does not affect our schedule. The inauguration can be done later," said a senior CIDCO official, on condition of anonymity.

The golf course in Kharghar is fully complete. Yet again, the CM's busy schedule seems to have pushed the inauguration programme on the backburner. CIDCO officials have been taking special care of the golf course, as Chavan and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar are slated to do the opening. "We spent a lot of money for the inauguration programme. If the opening is not done in the next one month, we will have to wait for another five months till the monsoon gets over. The inauguration has been delayed indefinitely," said another CIDCO official, on condition of anonymity.

Mohan Ninawe, public relation officer (PRO) of CIDCO, said that they have been trying to get dates from the CM and Deputy CM for the inauguration of our projects. "The last date that the CM's office had confirmed was April 26, but we had to cancel it after we came across code of conduct due to elections in Raigad. We can not say when the inauguration will take place." u00a0