Namma Metro result of new thinking on ‘Ease of Travel’
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has inaugurated, dedicated to the nation, laid the foundation stone and flagged off various development projects worth over Rs.15,600 crore in Bengaluru on 13 Nov, saying the developments mark a day to give new momentum to the development journey of Bengaluru and Karnataka through projects spanning connectivity and energy security.
The Prime Minister said, “From projects connected with metro and rail to works of energy security, all these projects are going to give new strength to the infrastructure of Karnataka.”
Emphasizing that infrastructure and improved connectivity generate new avenues for progress, employment, and industry that reach every section of society, he said, “The project will give new momentum to the building of a Viksit Bharat through a Viksit Karnataka, and at the same time further strengthen the identity of Bengaluru as a Tech City.”
Highlighting the dedication of the Bengaluru Metro’s new Pink Line, he noted that the corridor will significantly improve connectivity to IIM Bengaluru, numerous educational institutions, and major business, technology, and commercial hubs across the city. “Lakhs of people of Bengaluru will not only have convenience in commuting, rather they will also be able to save their money and time,” observed the PM.
Describing Bengaluru as the Silicon Valley of India that contributes over one-third of the nation’s IT exports and serves as a major engine of innovation and economic growth, the Prime Minister stated that the Central Government has prioritized the rapid development of the Bengaluru region, making it the third Indian city after Delhi-NCR and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to cross the 100-km metro milestone. “This success of Namma Metro is the result of the country’s new thinking regarding Ease of Living and Ease of Travel, and the outcome of the country’s commitment to make the lives of middle-class families better,” he asserted.
The Indian Railways is working through Vande Bharat trains and Amrit Bharat stations on more than 60 stations in Karnataka alongside Chamarajanagar, Chikkamagaluru, Sakleshpur, and Subrahmanya Road. “The facilities that were earlier found in airports, efforts are now being made to provide those very facilities at railway stations for the convenience of the people.”
He said the Government has expanded petrol, diesel, and LPG production, crude oil storage, solar, hydro, and wind energy, near-total rail electrification, and metro networks. He listed three new Karnataka projects: the Mangaluru LPG Project adding 80,000 metric tonnes of storage capacity, the Devangonthi Marketing Terminal streamlining petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel supply, and the Bengaluru CBG plant producing 13 tonnes of biogas daily. “This will improve waste management and money spent on the import of natural gas will also be saved,” noted PM Modi.
Highlighting that reliable electricity generation is essential as India strives for global leadership across new technologies from chips to ships and from AI and data centres to quantum computing, the Prime Minister noted that the nation is expanding its nuclear power plants to achieve clean energy goals. “Today India’s renewable energy capacity has exceeded 300 gigawatts,” the Prime Minister highlighted. Fiinews.com
