New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Pune metro rail project on Sunday and even took a ride. He bought a ticket and took a ride from Garware College to Anand Nagar. He also unveiled a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the premises of the Pune Municipal Corporation.
The inaugural event for the 12-km stretch of the total 32.2-km long project took place at the Garware Metro Station, from where Modi proceeded to board the train. The total cost of the Pune metro project is over Rs 11,400 crore. The PM had laid the foundation stone for the project on December 24, 2016.
The Prime Minister interacted with the schools who were also on board the metro train.
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra Assembly Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis and Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol were also present at the event.
PM Modi also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple developmental projects. He also laid the foundation stone of rejuvenation and pollution abatement of the Mula-Mutha River projects. Rejuvenation will be done in 9 Km stretch of the river at a project cost of more than Rs. 1,080 crore. It will involve works such as river edge protection, interceptor sewage network, public amenities, boating activity, etc.
PM Modi also addressed the event after launching the projects. He said that these projects will give a boost to urban infrastructure in Pune. The Prime Minister said that this metro will make transportation easier, make the city pollution-free, and will help people to avoid traffic jams and use a better mode to travel across the city. PM Modi said that this will bring ease of living in the city.
PM Modi also hailed former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and said that he made various efforts to bring this project into reality. He further said, "Pune has developed itself into an education, IT and automobile hub, amid this, we're working to meet the requirements of the people of Pune. Metro rail will reduce carbon emissions to a larger extent."
He also said that Pune is known for green fuel, to reduce dependence on crude oil from foreign countries we're focusing on ethanol production. We've established centres for that in Pune which will benefit farmers too.
PM Modi said, "Our government is focusing to provide green transport & electric vehicles for smart transit facilities in every city. We're also focused on establishing Integrated Command & Control Center with waste & sewage management plants that'll enhance circular economy."
Mula-Mutha River pollution abatement project will be implemented on the concept of "One City One Operator" at a cost of over Rs 1,470 crore. A total of 11 sewage treatment plants will be constructed under the project, with a combined capacity of around 400 MLD. Prime Minister also launched 140 e-buses and e-bus depot constructed at Baner. Prime Minister also inaugurated the R.K Laxman Art Gallery-Museum constructed at Balewadi, Pune. The main attraction of the Museum is a miniature model based on the village of Malgudi which will be made alive through the audio-visual effects. Cartoons drawn by cartoonist R K Laxman will be showcased in the Museum.