PM Modi likely to be star attraction at Coldplay event

Just when the brouhaha over the state government’s tax waiver for the Global Citizen Festival India’s Coldplay music concert was fading, it is back in the headlines; albeit, this time with a positive news. Scheduled to visit Mumbai on November 19, the day Coldplay’s debut concert would be held in Bandra Kurla Complex, Prime Minister Narendra Modi may attend the programme.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to remain present for the programme.

Besides, keeping in mind next year’s civic polls, the state government wishes that the PM lays the foundation stone for infrastructure projects.

“The prime minister would come for the Coldplay concert. We are also trying our best that he lays foundation stone for one or two of the infrastructure projects in Mumbai,” an official from the Chief Minister’s Office said. However, the prime minister’s office is yet to confirm about him taking part in the projects’ foundation work.

The government may request Mr Modi to lay the foundation stone for some of the projects such as the Chhatrapati Shivaji memorial in Arabian Sea, the Mumbai TransHarbour Link connecting Navi Mumbai with the mainland city, or the CST-Panvel elevated Corridor. All these projects have received an approval from the NITI Aayog and Churchgate-CST underground train. “We are in discussion with the prime minister to inaugurate a few projects in the city. However, there is no confirmation from the PMO. Although, Mr Modi would be arriving at Mumbai on November 19, the PMO is yet to send us the official schedule of his programme,” the official added.

With the municipal elections inching closer, the state wants to highlight the infrastructure projects across the city. “The state government is in hurry to start a few major infrastructure projects in order to woo Mumbailars before the civic polls. For this, CM Devendra Fadnavis has speeded up the work for Mumbai-Nagpur Express Way, and kick started Metro-7 between Andheri and Dahisar. This shows that the government is serious about the projects and has been working to bring it to the notice of the public. For the same reason, the state government wants the prime minister to inaugurate a few projects during his one-day visit here,” said a BJP leader.