On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a significant milestone in Pune’s urban transport development by leading the inauguration of new corridors of the Pune Metro. This event is a vital step in realizing the vision of providing modern and environment-friendly mass rapid urban transport systems across the country.
As part of the inauguration, the prime minister flagged off metro trains, officially opening the completed sections of two corridors of Pune Metro Phase I. These sections connect critical areas of Pune city, such as Shivaji Nagar, Civil Court, Pune Municipal Corporation office, Pune RTO, and Pune Railway Station. The construction of these sections commenced with the laying of the foundation stone by the prime minister in 2016.
The design of several metro stations on the route draws inspiration from the great Maratha warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. For instance, the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Udyan Metro Station and Deccan Gymkhana Metro Station feature a unique design resembling the headgear worn by soldiers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, known as ‘Mavala Pagadi.’ The Shivaji Nagar underground Metro Station is designed in a way reminiscent of the majestic forts built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
During the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi also handed over more than 1,280 houses constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Additionally, he inaugurated the waste-to-energy plant under PCMC, a significant development project developed at a cost of about ₹300 crore. The plant will utilize approximately 2.5 lakh MT of waste annually to produce electricity, contributing to sustainable energy solutions.
Furthermore, the event witnessed the laying of the foundation stone for around 1190 PMAY houses to be constructed by PCMC and over 6400 houses constructed by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority, aiming to address housing needs in the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s active involvement in the inauguration of these projects underscores the government’s commitment to fostering growth and sustainability in Pune. The development of modern infrastructure, including the metro system and waste-to-energy solutions, holds the promise of transforming the city’s urban landscape for the better.