Rainwater leaks through Mann metro station roof two days before Pune Metro Line 3 inauguration

Rainwater leaked through the roof of the Mann metro station on Sunday evening, with the official inauguration of the Shivajinagar-Hinjewadi Metro Line 3 just two days away. Water seeped through the station roof and collected in areas meant for passengers. The incident has prompted doubts about the quality of construction.

Squally winds and rain hit the Hinjewadi-Mann area on Sunday. Within minutes of the rain starting, water is said to have begun seeping through the joints and panels of the station roof. It collected near the passenger walkways and in the ticketing area, and station staff had to clean up and remove the water immediately.

Videos of water dripping from the roof of Mann station are circulating on social media. They show rainwater falling on the passenger movement area and the concourse. Staff were seen collecting and removing the water with buckets and floor wipers.

The incident has raised questions among local residents and IT-sector employees. They are asking whether adequate inspections were carried out before the line was opened to the public. Concern has also been voiced about the effect water leakage could have on the station's electrical systems, escalators, lifts and other equipment. Commuters and IT employees have asked the administration to resolve all safety-related problems before passenger services begin.

Metro Line 3 is being built by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) with the Tata group and Siemens. It is to be inaugurated on November 3 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The main ceremony will be held at the Balewadi sports complex on November 3. According to the announced plan, regular passenger services are expected to begin on November 4 at 17 of the 23 stations on the route.

The leak came to light soon after PMRDA Commissioner Dr Abhijit Chaudhari announced details of preparations for the inauguration. The administration has highlighted several features of the project, including women loco pilots and a solar-powered system. The project is being presented as an eco-friendly "Puneri Metro". The leak at Mann station before the launch has raised the question of whether the infrastructure is ready for passenger traffic.

Doubts are being raised over whether construction and quality checks have been completed adequately. Some residents and IT employees have asked why there is a hurry to open the line if infrastructure problems persist. Demands have also emerged for an urgent inspection of the station before services begin, repair of the leaking areas and a detailed assessment of construction quality. There is as yet no information on a response from the project partners PMRDA and Tata, or on any steps taken over the leak.