During his Maharashtra visit, the Prime Minister flagged off the first phase of Mumbai Metro Line-3, the state’s first underground Metro project. He also launched over 7,500 projects worth `1,920 crores under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF). Besides, he laid the foundations for projects such as the Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail project. The Elevated Eastern Freeway extension and the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area projects were also inaugurated, among others.
Addressing the gathering, the PM emphasised his government’s decision to confer "classical language status to Marathï. “It is not just respect for Maharashtra and the Marathi language but an ode to the tradition that gave India a rich culture of knowledge, philosophy, spirituality and literature,” he said.
The total worth of projects inaugurated by the PM at Thane was `32,800 crores. He also released the 18th installment of the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi, amounting to roughly `20,000 crores, benefiting about 9.5-crore farmers.
Mr Modi took a train ride on the newly inaugurated Metro Line-3, which runs from BKC to Aarey in Mumbai. During the ride to Santacruz station and back, Mr Modi interacted with students, beneficiaries of the Maharashtra government’s Ladki Bahin Yojana and labourers involved in the construction of the underground line. He was accompanied by Maharashtra governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde and his deputies Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar.
The PM also thanked the Japan government and the Japanese International Corporation Agency in particular for their support. “This Metro line is also a symbol of India-Japan friendship,” he said.
In his speech, Mr Modi referred to Congress as a party of urban Naxals, claiming they are backing a dangerous agenda to hinder India’s progress and divide the country. He called Congress the “most dishonest and corrupt party” and blamed the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) regime for causing delays in the Metro project, resulting in cost escalation by `14,000 crores. “People should keep those who are stopping development away from power,” he added.
The Prime Minister stated that the track record of the previous MVA government is proof that they are anti-development and gave examples of protests against Atal Setu, resistance to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train and stalling of water-related projects in drought-prone areas of the state.
“Despite growing population and rising traffic density in Mumbai, there were no solutions undertaken to solve the issues. There were apprehensions of bringing the financial capital of India, Mumbai, to a grinding halt due to the burgeoning issues,” he said.
Highlighting that the Mahayuti government has tried to resolve the issues, the PM said that a Metro network of 300 km is being developed and also listed projects such as coastal road and Atal Setu.
“We have set a record for the development of highways, expressways, railways and airports and have also lifted 25-crore people out of poverty. We still have to take the country much further,” the Prime Minister said.
Earlier in the day, the PM launched various initiatives related to the agricultural and animal husbandry sector worth around `23,300 crores in Washim, Maharashtra.
Speaking at the Washim event, Mr Modi urged people to unite to defeat the “dangerous agenda” of Congress and said, “They feel that India should be ruled by only one family.”
