PM Modi inaugurates Pune Metro, Solapur Airport, lays foundation of other projects

Mumbai, Sep 29 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, through video conferencing, inaugurated various projects in Maharashtra, including the Pune Metro's first phase and the upgraded Solapur airport, and laid the foundation of other ventures.

The Prime Minister was to unveil and launch these projects, worth over Rs 11,200 crore, on September 26 but due to heavy rains in Pune and around, he had cancelled his visit to the state.

In his remarks on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi said that these projects will give a boost to urban development and significantly add to 'Ease of Living' for the people.

Inaugurating the Pune Metro's section from the District Court to Swargate, which marked the completion of the Pune Metro Rail Project (Phase-1), he said that metro trains will now run on this route. The cost of the underground section was around Rs 1,810 crore.

Further, he laid the foundation stone for the Swargate-Katraj Extension of Pune Metro Phase-1 to be developed at the cost of around Rs 2,955 crore. This southern extension of around 5.46 km is completely underground with three stations - Market Yard, Padmavati, and Katraj.

Laying the foundation stone for the Memorial for Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule’s First Girls’ School at Bhidewada in Pune, PM Modi said that before the country's independence, the social conditions were such that the poor were discriminated against. In this situation, it was very tough for girls to get an education. Savitribai Phule was among the distinguished people who threw open the doors of education for girls.

He also inaugurated the Solapur Airport which would significantly improve connectivity, making Solapur more accessible to tourists, business travellers and investors. He said that the existing terminal building has been revamped to serve around 4.1 lakh passengers annually.