Maharashtra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday virtually inaugurated the underground Pune Metro corridor, marking a major milestone for the citys urban transport infrastructure. The corridor runs from Shivajinagar District Court to Swargate, providing a seamless commute for thousands of daily passengers. This corridor signifies the completion of Phase 1 of the Pune Metro Rail Project, a critical infrastructure initiative for the city.This virtual inauguration comes just days after PM Modis scheduled visit to Pune was cancelled due to heavy rainfall in the region.Massive investment in Maharashtra: Rs 11,200 crore projectsIn addition to unveiling the Pune Metro corridor, PM Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated a series of development projects across Maharashtra, totaling over Rs 11,200 crore. These projects span sectors such as urban transportation, industrial development, and airport infrastructure, all of which are expected to boost economic growth in the region.Key metro expansion: Swargate-Katraj extensionA major highlight of the event was the foundation stone laid for the Swargate-Katraj Metro Extension, a key part of Pune Metros Phase-1 expansion. This 5.46 km southern extension will cost approximately Rs 2,955 crore and will be entirely underground. It will include three new stations: Market Yard, Padmavati, and Katraj, further expanding the citys metro network and improving connectivity in the southern regions of Pune.District court-Swargate Metro corridorThe newly inaugurated District Court to Swargate underground metro corridor, developed at a cost of Rs 1,810 crore, will play a vital role in easing the commute for thousands of Punes residents. This 12 km stretch marks the culmination of the Pune Metro Rail Project (Phase-1) and is expected to be a major boost to the citys transport network, significantly reducing travel time for commuters.Bidkin Industrial Area, Solapur AirportAnother major announcement was the inauguration of the Rs 6,400 crore Bidkin Industrial Area under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme. Spanning 7,855 acres, the Bidkin project is located 20 km south of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and is expected to become an economic hub in the Marathwada region. It will be developed in three phases under the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor.Furthermore, the Prime Minister inaugurated Solapur Airport, a key project that will enhance connectivity to this historically significant city. The refurbished terminal is now capable of handling over 4.1 lakh passengers annually, making Solapur more accessible to business travelers, investors, and tourists alike.Honoring the legacy of Savitribai PhuleAs part of the event, PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for a memorial at Bhidewada, where Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule founded Indias first school for girls. This memorial is a tribute to Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule, who remains a symbol of womens education and empowerment in India.These projects underscore the governments commitment to improving urban infrastructure, boosting industrial growth, and preserving Indias rich history of social reform.
