India, May 4 -- The launch of metro service between Hinjewadi and Shivajinagar is set to be delayed again, with officials citing labour shortage due to the West Bengal assembly elections as a key reason for the setback.

According to officials from Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited, many workers returned to their native places in West Bengal to participate in the elections, slowing down construction work on the metro corridor. The delay, along with a shortage of construction materials due to the West Asia conflict, has pushed back the project timeline.

The metro service, which was initially expected to start in March last year, has already missed several deadlines. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced that operations would begin ...