India's metro network expands from 248 km to 1,200 km in 12 years, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Indias operational metro network has expanded from 248 km in 2014 to around 1200 km highlighting the growth of urban transport infrastructure while inaugurating Pune Metros 23km Pink LinePM Modi inaugurated the HinjewadiShivajinagar corridor through video conferencing and laid the foundation stone for four new metro corridors under Pune Metro PhaseII involving an estimated investment of around Rs 21800 croreWhen the country gave the NDA the opportunity to serve in 2014 we set out with a resolve to ensure the ease of living and ease of transportation for the middle class living in cities Modi saidPune Metro Pink Line connects IT hub to city centreThe 23kmlong Pink Line built at a cost of more than Rs 8300 crore will connect the Hinjewadi IT hub with the District Court Metro stationThe corridor is expected to improve daily travel for thousands of IT professionals ease traffic congestion and reduce dependence on private vehiclesThe line will be operated by women train operators while around 30 per cent of its electricity requirements are expected to be met through solar powerModi said the new connection would improve access between Hinjewadi and Shivajinagar strengthening connectivity between Punes older and newer areasFour new corridors planned under PhaseIIThe Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for Pune Metro PhaseII estimated to cost around Rs 13500 croreThe expansion will comprise four corridors mdash Lines 2A 2B 4 and 4A mdash covering residential commercial and IT hubs across the cityModi said the expansion would improve connectivity reduce commuting time and enhance Punes productivityRecalling the foundation stone ceremony for the first phase of Pune Metro around a decade ago he said stronger connectivity would support the citys developmentMetro network now operational in 26 citiesModi said metro services were available in five cities in 2014 and had expanded to 26 cities More than one crore people now travel by metro every day he saidIndia had only 248 km of metro network in 2014 which has now increased to around 1200 km While metro services were available in only five cities in 2014 they are now operational in 26 cities More than one crore people travel by metro every day the Prime Minister saidHe added that India now ranks among the worlds three largest metro networks and said the expansion reflected the governments focus on urban transport and public infrastructureMaharashtras metro infrastructure sees expansionModi said Maharashtras operational metro network had grown from 11 km in 2014 to nearly 200 km with work underway on more than 680 km of metro linesMaharashtra is attracting investments of over Rs 25 lakh crore in metro infrastructure alone generating employment for workers engineers and businesses This investment is putting money into the pockets of workers providing employment to engineers and generating jobs in shops and factories Modi saidHe said the development of metro infrastructure was improving convenience for citizens and supporting economic activity in citiesUrban infrastructure central to growth plansDescribing Pune as a centre of ideas and innovation Modi said the city was contributing to Indias development through its IT automobile pharmaceutical startup manufacturing and innovation sectorsHe stressed the need to develop smaller cities as economic growth hubs saying urban infrastructure was central to the vision of a developed IndiaModi also referred to the Urban Challenge Fund approved by the Centre in February with Rs 1 lakh crore in central assistance aimed at mobilising investment in urban developmentThe Prime Minister said the Pune Metro project demonstrated how publicprivate partnerships could accelerate infrastructure developmentHe also expressed concern over farmers in Maharashtra facing difficulties due to adverse weather conditions assuring them of support from the Centre and the NDA governmentWe will face this calamity together The collective effort of everyone is the lifeblood of a developed India he saidWith inputs from PTI