Navi Mumbai: Locals travel from across Maharashtra to see PM Modi

The crowd at the event addressed by the PM. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Most of those who travelled from various parts of the state to catch a glimpse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Navi Mumbai International Airport site were clueless about the event that preceded the gathering, with several telling mid-day they had come all the way because the PM was visiting.

Entering 12 buses that were heading towards the spot from areas such as Nashik, Airoli, Beed and Palghar, mid-day interacted with several such citizens. Surprisingly, it was found out that most of the travellers were clueless about the event as several told mid-day they had come all this way just because the Prime Minister was visiting.

Visitors make their way to the site of the Navi Mumbai airport to attend the gathering addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Vikas Singh, who hails from Airoli, said, "I am a Modi bhakt. The only reason I am visiting Navi Mumbai is to see the Prime Minister and hear what he has to say in person."

Suresh Pal, a BJP worker travelling from Airoli, said, "We are enthusiastic about seeing and hearing the Prime Minister in person. The PM will guide us and will always follow in his footsteps."

Shobha More and Sunanda Amilpura, who walked 2.5 km to reach the gathering spot

It was also observed that the visitors were made to walk for over two kilometres to reach the dome raised for the public where the Prime Minister addressed the gathering. A group of travellers from Palghar, told mid-day, "Our bus was stopped away from the gathering dome. We had to walk for over a kilometre just to reach the gathering."

Sunanda Amilpura from Osmanabad said, "We are here from 1 pm. We had to walk for more than 2.5 kilometres just to reach the gathering spot."

Suresh Pal, BJP worker from Airoli; (right) Vikas Singh, Airoli native

The visitors, however, were relieved that there were an adequate number of washrooms. One of them, Shobha More, said, "Walking for an extended duration is not new to us. We always have to walk for water to far-off distances. The thing I found very reassuring was the availability of washrooms. The fact that mobile washrooms were made available was enough for us to travel the distance to see our Prime Minister"

Seating arrangements had been made for a lakh people at the venue while breakfast and water were provided to all.

Gayatri Wagle from Maval village said, "We started our journey at 8 am, reaching here around 2 pm. On our arrival, tea and breakfast were provided and later we were allowed to enter the gathering spot."

Delay and exits

A group was seen exiting the location from gate number 1 around 5.25 pm even before the Prime Minister addressed the crowd or inaugurated projects.

A police officer, while trying to rein in the masses at the gate, said, "Many people have left the venue for some reason or the other. We are making sure a stampede-like situation doesn't arise."

A person requesting anonymity said, "I had come here to listen to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's speech. I heard him, which is more than enough. Now I can go home without any other thing to take from here. Already the gathering was way too delayed. It was said to start by 4.15 pm but it started around 4.45 pm and even now at 5.40 pm, the Prime Minister hasn't spoken. This is too much as the gathering was said to end by 5.30 pm."

Due to the delay, several people were seen leaving the venue as the Prime Minister was addressing the crowd.

4.15 pm
Time event was to start

5.30 pm
Time event was to end

Projects PM inaugurated apart from MTHL

. Surya regional water supply scheme (phase-1): This phase of the project aims to provide water to Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC)

. Kharkopar-Uran Phase-ll The new 14.60-km double line section of the Kharkopar-Uran line is part of the 27-km double line project of the Belapur-Seawood-Uran section

. Digha railway station between Thane and Airoli on Trans-Harbour Line: A new suburban station is being opened for the benefit of people from the area. The station is between Thane and Airoli i.e. 3.2 km from Thane and 2.6 km from Airoli. It is the part of Airoli- Kalva elevated corridor work being done by MRVC under MUTP-II scheme.

. 6th line between Khar Road and Goregaon railway stations: The line was dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister during the public gathering

. The PM also performed the ground-breaking ceremony of the 9.2-km underground road tunnel between Orange Gate and Marine Drive.