Infra push ahead of Maharashtra polls: PM Modi flags off Pune Metro's Swargate stretch | Pune News

Inaugurating the first route of the Metro from the district court to the Swargate stretch, the Prime Minister, who began his speech in Marathi, praised the work done for the expansion of the Pune Metro and criticized the previous government of the Congress-led UPA for doing nothing to alleviate the problem. the transport miseries of the people of Pune.
The need for Pune Metro was discussed in 2008. But in eight years, the previous government could not even erect a pillar of Pune Metro. After coming to power, our government took quick decisions and laid the foundation stone in 2016 and established a modern Pune Metro network, the Prime Minister said, adding that the Pune Metro was progressing rapidly and was developing.

He also laid the foundation stone of the Swargate-Katraj section, which is part of the expansion plan of the first phase of the Pune Metro.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, several of their cabinet colleagues and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol were among those present at the event.

On September 26, the Prime Minister was scheduled to visit Pune and inaugurate the Pune Metro section. However, his visit was canceled due to heavy rain forecast. It was then decided that he would virtually inaugurate the project implemented by Maha Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.

The Prime Minister had laid the foundation stone of the Pune Metro project in December 2016 and the actual work began in July 2017. The project was expected to be completed in 2022.

However, for two years, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, metro work was halted. The Swargate District Court work was completed in the fastest time in two years, despite opposition and hurdles in land acquisition, Maha Metro Managing Director Shravan Hardikar told The Indian Express.

The completion of the first phase will significantly reduce the travel time of commuters from Pune city and Pimpri-Chinchwad, Metro officials said.

For residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad, it usually takes one and a half hours or even three to four hours to reach Swargate, especially during monsoon, by Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd buses or by personal vehicles.

“Now commuters will be able to reach Swargate from Pimpri in just 34 minutes,” a Metro official said.

Criticizing the lack of planning and vision of the previous Congress-led UPA government, the Prime Minister said, “An advanced transport system like Pune Metro should have been implemented much earlier. This is not the case. This is due to the lack of planning and vision in the urban development of our country. Files for various plans would remain blocked for years. Even if a plan was developed, the project would remain grounded for decades. The old work culture has caused great loss to our country, Maharashtra and Pune…

Highlighting Pune's progress and pressure from the growing population, Modi said Maharashtra needs ambitious targets and new resolutions. We need to make cities like Pune a center of progress and urban development. We must take steps to foster development and increase capacity. Our Mahayuti government is committed to modernizing Pune's public transport, improving connectivity and ensuring ease of living.

Mentioning various projects that were allegedly delayed before the Mahayuti government came to power in Maharashtra, Modi said: Be it the metro project, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train or the irrigation projects for the farmers, they were all delayed. Maharashtra can make rapid progress if there is development-oriented governance.

Highlighting Maharashtra's role in steering the nation towards development, the Prime Minister said: There is an urgent need for future-ready infrastructure…The benefits of development can reach all sections of society when everyone participates in the development of the country… Together, we will do it. achieve this goal of Viskit Maharashtra, Viksit Bharat…

After the Prime Minister kicked off the first round, the Chief Minister and the two Deputy Chief Ministers took the Pune Metro from Swargate to the district court.

Completion of the first phase of Pune Metro will give Puneites breathing space as it will free them from daily traffic jams, CM Shinde said.

Fadnavis said Puneites' dream of better connectivity had come true. The Pune Metro was completed in the fastest time and even the Swargate-Katraj section will be completed in record time, he added.

Other projects

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the memorial of the first Krantijyoti Savitribai Phules Girls' School in Bhidewada. It will include a skills development center, library and other essential facilities. Modi said the memorial would serve as a lasting tribute to the social reform movement. When the doors of all sectors open for our girls, only then the real doors of progress will open for the country, the Prime Minister said, adding that the Savitribai Phule Memorial will give more energy to these resolutions and to the campaign for women's empowerment.

He also inaugurated the renovated Solapur airport and termed it a “special gift” for devotees of Lord Vitthal. The Prime Minister said that the capacity of the airport terminal has been increased and new services and facilities have been created for passengers after the completion of modernization works at the existing airport.

The Prime Minister also dedicated the Bidkin Industrial Node to the nation and highlighted its potential to bring significant investment and employment opportunities to the region.

With the development of the 8,000-acre Bidkin Industrial Zone, trillions of investments will flow into Maharashtra, creating jobs for thousands of youth, he said.