PM dedicates to the nation Mumbai Metro Rail Lines, in Mumbai, Maharashtra on January 19, 2023.
Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth around Rs 38,800 crores here today.
In line with providing seamless urban mobility, one of his key focus areas, Modi dedicated to the nation the Mumbai Metro Rail Lines 2A & 7, worth around Rs 12,600 crores. The metro line 2A connecting Dahisar E and DN Nagar (yellow line) is around 18.6 Km long, while metro line 7 connecting Andheri E – Dahisar E (red line) is around 16.5 Km long. The foundation stone of these lines was also laid by the Prime Minister in 2015. He also took a metro ride from Gundavali Metro Station to Mogra here today.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of seven sewage treatment plants, which will be built at a cost of around Rs 17,200 crores. These sewage treatment plants will be set up in Malad, Bhandup, Versova, Ghatkopar, Bandra, Dharavi and Worli. They will have a combined capacity of around 2,460 MLD.
In an effort to strengthen health care infrastructure in Mumbai, the Prime Minister inaugurated 20 Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana. This initiative provides essential medical services like health checkups, medicines, investigations and diagnostics completely free, to the people. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of three hospitals in Mumbai – 360-bedded Bhandup Multispeciality Municipal Hospital, 306-bedded Siddharth Nagar Hospital, Goregaon (West) and 152-bedded Oshiwara Maternity Home.
The Prime Minister also started the road concretisation project for around 400 kilometres of roads in Mumbai. This project will be developed at a cost of about Rs 6,100 crore. Of the total roads extending to around 2050 kilometres in Mumbai, more than 1200 kilometres of roads are either concretized or are in the process of being concretized. However, the remaining roads of about 850 Km in length face challenges of potholes which severely impact transportation. The road concretisation project is aimed to overcome this challenge. These concrete roads will ensure fast travel along with enhanced security, while also providing better drainage facilities and utility ducts will ensure regular digging of roads is avoided.
Modi also laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. The redevelopment is planned with a view to decongesting the southern heritage node of the terminus, augmentation of facilities, better multimodal integration and conserving and restoring the world-famous iconic structure to its past glory. The project will be done at a cost of over Rs. 1,800 crores. The Prime Minister said that the railway station will not be limited to services related to railways but will also act as a hub for multimodal connectivity. “All modes of transport, be it bus, metro, taxi or auto, every means of transport will be connected under one roof and this will provide seamless connectivity to all travellers.” Such multimodal connectivity hubs will be developed in every city, he said.
Further, he also started the transfer of approved loans of over one lakh beneficiaries under PM SVANidhi Yojana.
Modi said that today’s projects will play a major role in making Mumbai a better metropolitan and congratulated the beneficiaries and Mumbaikars. “This is the first time since independence that India has the courage to turn its dreams into reality,” he said. He also asserted that this is the first instance when the world is showing faith in the resolve of India.
The Prime Minister stressed the role of cities in the creation of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). He said many cities in Maharashtra will drive India’s growth. ‘That is why preparing Mumbai for the future is one of the key priorities of the double-engine government’ he said.
Modi said Mumbai will get a facelift in the years to come with the technological advancements of Mumbai Local, expansion of the Metro network, Vande Bharat trains and advanced connectivity faster than the bullet train. “From poor labourers and staff to shopkeepers and huge business owners, living in Mumbai will be convenient for everyone,” he promised. He also said that travelling to Mumbai from the neighbouring districts will now become easier with projects like Coastal Road, Indu Mills Smarak, Navi Mumbai Airport, and France Harbour Link. “Such projects are giving new strength to Mumbai,” he said. He also observed that projects like Dharavi Punarvikas and Old Chaul Developments are getting back on track and congratulated Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his team for “this remarkable achievement”. The Prime Minister also touched upon the work taken up today for the improvement of roads in Mumbai and remarked that it showcases the commitment made by the “double-engine government”.
– global bihari bureau
