Pune: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of several major infrastructure and development projects in Maharashtra, valued at over ₹11,200 crore, via video conferencing.
Key highlights of the event included the inauguration of Pune Metro’s underground stretch from the District Court to Swargate, and the laying of the foundation stone for the Swargate-Katraj extension of Phase 1 of the Pune Metro project.
Additionally, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Memorial for Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule’s first girls' school at Bhidewada, which he described as a milestone for the city’s educational and social progress.
This virtual event comes after the cancellation of his scheduled Pune visit earlier this week due to inclement weather.
Modi also turned his attention to the newly upgraded Solapur Airport, which now offers direct air connectivity, making travel easier for devotees of Bhagwan Vitthal.
With the expansion of terminal capacity and enhanced passenger services, the airport is expected to boost regional tourism and facilitate smoother journeys to Pandharpur.
The Prime Minister stressed the need for Maharashtra to set ambitious goals as part of its development trajectory, particularly in cities like Pune, which face increasing pressure from a rapidly growing population.
He underlined the ongoing efforts by the state government to modernize public transport and improve connectivity, positioning Pune as a future hub of urban progress.
Recalling the history of the Pune Metro project, Modi pointed out that despite discussions dating back to 2008, tangible progress only began when his government laid the foundation stone in 2016. Since then, Pune Metro has rapidly expanded, with today’s inauguration marking another milestone.
He contrasted this with the previous administration’s delays, asserting that the previous government could not complete even a single metro pillar in eight years.
In his closing remarks, Modi reaffirmed his belief in Maharashtra’s central role in India’s development, stating, "Together, we will achieve the goal of ‘Viksit Maharashtra, Viksit Bharat’" (Developed Maharashtra, Developed India).
