New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for Pune Metro projects worth around ₹21,800 crore on Monday through video conferencing.
PM Modi noted that the inauguration of the Hinjawadi to Shivajinagar corridor will provide superior connectivity to a major IT hub. He added that the new line initiated today will further connect the old and new parts of Pune.
Pune Metro Projects to Give New Momentum to City’s Growth
PM Narendra Modi said Pune is now channeling the fresh energy of a Viksit Bharat across IT, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, startups, innovation and manufacturing.
“And in such a scenario, the strengthening metro connectivity here is going to give new momentum to the development of Pune city,” he added.
The Pune Metro projects reflect how modern cities are being shaped for a Viksit Bharat, PM Modi said.
He observed that beyond traditional markers such as industries, cuisine and local produce, urban centres are increasingly judged by their competitiveness and Ease of Living.
According to the Prime Minister, metro networks improve Ease of Living by saving commuting time and offering greater convenience.
He pointed out that saving a city’s time boosts urban productivity, which in turn accelerates the national economy.
India’s Metro Network Expands to Nearly 1,200 Km
PM Narendra Modi said India’s metro network has expanded to nearly 1,200 kilometres across 26 cities and now serves more than one crore daily commuters.
“Today the Indian metro network is counted among the top three metro networks in the world,” noted PM Modi.
Maharashtra Metro Network Sees Major Expansion
Observing that Maharashtra has mirrored the national transformation since 2014, PM Modi pointed out that only 10 to 11 kilometres of metro lines were operational in the state at that time.
He said nearly 175 kilometres of metro lines are now in service in Maharashtra, while construction is underway on more than 680 kilometres with an investment exceeding ₹2.5 lakh crore.
“This money is going into the pockets of laborers, this money is giving employment to engineers, and this money is creating employment in shops and in factories,” observed PM Modi.
The Prime Minister said cities are major engines of economic activity rather than merely residential spaces. He stressed the need to transform hundreds of smaller towns into active growth hubs.
He highlighted the approval of the Urban Challenge Fund in February this year, backed by ₹1 lakh crore in Central assistance to mobilize lakhs of crores in urban investment. PM Modi urged local bodies and private-sector partners to join the initiative in mission mode.
