Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated and dedicated to the nation various projects in Maharashtra worth over Rs. 11,200 crore on 29 September, through video conferencing. PM Modi was supposed to visit Pune for inauguration of the projects on 26 September, but it was cancelled due to heavy rain and ‘red alert’ in the state.

PM Modi Inaugurates Pune Metro Section of District Court to Swargate

PM Modi inaugurated the Pune Metro section of District Court to Swargate which marked the completion of Pune Metro Rail Project (Phase-1). The cost of the underground section between District Court to Swargate is around Rs 1,810 crore.

Speaking at the inauguration, he said, “Recently, the District Court to Swargate section route has been inaugurated. Metro will now start running on this route as well. The foundation stone of the Swargate-Katraj section has also been laid today.  Today the foundation stone of Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule Memorial has also been laid. I am happy that we are moving at a fast pace in the direction of our dream of increasing the ease of living in Pune city.”

He said that Pune should have had an advanced transport system like the metro much earlier but unfortunately, in the past decades, there has been a lack of both planning and vision in the urban development of our country.

“If any plan came up for discussion, its file would remain stuck for many years. Even if a plan was made, each project would remain stuck for many decades. The old work culture has caused a great loss to our country, Maharashtra and Pune…Today, on one hand, we have inaugurated an old work and at the same time, we have also laid the foundation stone of the Swargate to Katraj line…The previous government could not even build a single pillar of the Metro in 8 years, whereas our government has built a modern Metro station in Pune,” said PM Modi.

Solapur Airport’s Inauguration

PM Modi also inaugurated the Solapur Airport which is set to improve connectivity, making Solapur more accessible to tourists, business travellers and investors. The existing terminal Building of Solapur has been renovated to serve around 4.1 lakh passengers annually.

He informed that work of upgrading the airport has been completed to provide direct air connectivity to Solapur.

“The capacity of the terminal building here has been increased, new facilities have been created for the passengers. This will be very convenient for the devotees of Vithoba. Now people will be able to reach Solapur directly to have the darshan of Lord Vitthal. I congratulate and wish the people of Maharashtra for all these development works. Pune’s growing population should enhance its capacity, not slow its pace. To achieve this, we must take proactive steps. This will happen when Pune’s public transport becomes modern. This will happen when the city expands while maintaining seamless connectivity between areas,” added PM Modi.

PM Modi asserted, “For the progress of the state, continuity of the government giving development priorities is necessary.”