Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted the expansion of India’s metro rail network over the past decade, saying it has grown from 248 km across five cities in 2014 to nearly 1,200 km across 26 cities, serving more than one crore commuters daily.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister contrasted the pace of metro development before 2014 with the expansion achieved over the past decade, citing Pune as an example of improved urban transport connectivity.
“Let me ask you… If India’s Metro network had continued expanding at the pace it did before 2014, how long would the wait be for cities like Pune to have a metro? YEARS, no DECADES, perhaps. And that was UNACCEPTABLE. In 2014, India had just 248 km of Metro lines across 5 cities. Today, we have nearly 1,200 km across 26 cities. Over 1 crore people travel by Metro every day,” PM Modi said.
Highlighting the benefits of improved urban mobility, he said the expansion would help reduce travel time, improve productivity and create greater opportunities for commuters.
“The impact goes beyond statistics or numbers. It means less time in traffic, more family time, greater productivity and better opportunities. This is the transformation we are working towards for urban India!” he added.
The remarks came two days after the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for Pune Metro projects worth approximately Rs 21,800 crore through video conferencing on Tuesday. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also attended the programme.
PM Modi inaugurated Pune Metro Line 3, also known as the Pink Line, developed at a cost of over Rs 8,300 crore.
The approximately 23-km corridor connects Maan to District Court Metro station, providing connectivity between the Hinjewadi IT hub and Shivajinagar. The project is expected to improve access to major employment centres and ease daily commuting for IT professionals and other passengers.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for Phase-II of Pune Metro, estimated to cost around Rs 13,500 crore.
The second phase comprises Lines 2A, 2B, 4 and 4A, aimed at expanding the city’s metro network and improving connectivity between residential areas, commercial centres and IT hubs.
Lines 2A and 2B will cover a combined distance of approximately 12.75 km. Line 2A will connect Vanaz to Chandani Chowk, while Line 2B will extend from Ramwadi to Vitthalwadi, strengthening the existing east-west metro corridor.
Line 4 will span approximately 25.52 km, connecting Kharadi to Khadakwasla, while the 6.12-km Line 4A will link Nal Stop with Manik Baug.
The projects are expected to strengthen Pune’s public transport infrastructure, improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion across key parts of the city.
(ANI Inputs)
