PM Modi slams previous governments for lack of planning and vision

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the foundation stone laying, groundbreaking and groundbreaking of Maharashtra's various projects worth over 11,200 crores via video conferencing, Sunday, September 29, 2024. | Photo credit: ANI

Ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday slammed the previous governments for their lack of vision and planning in urban development. He said the Pune Metro project would have been stalled due to the old work culture from which his government had moved away.

Mr. Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones of projects worth `11,200 crore in Maharashtra, through video conferencing, highlighting the completion of Pune Metro Phase 1 as a key milestone in quality improvement of life in the city. He argued that the old approach of previous administrations would have even prevented the Pune Metro project from taking off.

The Prime Minister's visit scheduled to Pune on September 26 was canceled due to heavy rains in the city. He recalled the inauguration of Ruby Hall Clinic Metro service at Ramwadi in March 2022 and praised the work done for the expansion of Pune Metro from 2016 to present due to faster decision making and the removal of obstacles.

Recently, CPN(SP) leader Supriya Sule criticized Mr. Modi for inaugurating the same project five times and suggested him to virtually stop the project.

Mr. Modi also pointed out that the current government had prepared a modern metro network in Pune, while the previous government could barely build a single metro pillar in eight years.

New ambitions

The senior BJP leader, who recently completed his 100-day term in a third consecutive term, stressed that Maharashtra needs new ambitions and large-scale goals, especially to transform Pune into a plate turning point in urban development. Addressing the city's growing population, he said improving modern public transport and connectivity was crucial to accelerate urban growth, a priority of the current Maharashtra government.

Mr. Modi lamented that previous governments lacked foresight and proper planning for urban infrastructure. Due to the population boom, the speed of the city should not slow down but rather increase its capacity. This can only happen if public transport is modernized and connectivity improved. This is the approach of the Mahayuti government.

Unfortunately, previously there was a lack of vision and planning when it came to urban development. Due to the old work culture, delays, the country and the state had to suffer. The Pune Metro project was conceived in 2008, but we laid the foundation in 2016 and it is now expanding. The previous government could not implement even a single pillar of the metro rail project in eight years, he said, emphasizing the importance of development-oriented governance to ensure Maharashtra's progress, as any disruption of this continuity results in significant losses for the State.

Pat for Shinde

He also praised Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for removing hurdles in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, calling for construction of infrastructure keeping in mind future needs, thereby ensuring benefits for all. Various stalled projects, from metro rail initiatives to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train and critical irrigation projects for farmers, were delayed before the advent of the dual-engine government, Mr. Modi said. .

In addition to the metro project, he laid the foundation for a memorial commemorating the first girls' school of Savitribai Phules in Bhidewada, Pune, and stressed the importance of balancing modernization with preserving the cultural heritage of India and said that women's involvement in social change was transformative.

The country has seen what happens when women take responsibility for social change. If Maharashtra develops, the country will follow. Together we will achieve this goal of Viksit Maharashtra. Viksit Bharat, we have to take many steps to reach the peak of Viksit Bharat, he said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted his government's efforts towards women's empowerment, including stronger laws for women's safety, the Women's Reservation Bill and inclusion of women in the armed forces , and as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission, women's toilets were constructed.

Underground section

Mr. Modi inaugurated the new underground section of the Pune Metro from District Court to Swargate, marking the completion of Phase 1 of the Pune Metro project. The underground stretch, stretching between the district court and Swargate, was constructed at a cost of 1,810 crore.

Additionally, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the Swargate-Katraj extension of Pune Metro Phase 1. This southern extension, 5.46 km long and entirely underground, will include three stations: Market Yard, Padmavati and Katraj. The project is estimated to cost 2,955 crores.

Mr. Modi also inaugurated the Solapur airport, which has been revamped to accommodate around 4.1 lakh passengers annually. Devotees of Bhagwan Vitthal also received a special gift today, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the Bidkin Industrial Area, a transformative project covering a vast area of ​​7,855 acres under the National Industrial Corridor Development Program of the Government of India, located 20 km south of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra. The project, developed as part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, had immense potential as a vibrant economic hub in the Marathwada region. The central government had approved this project with an overall cost of over 6,400 crores for development in three phases.