Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took a dig at the UPA government, saying that in the past, there was no metro policy and, as a result, cities of the country had different types of metros, not integrated with other modes of transport.
Modi was virtually laying foundation stones of the Surat Metro Rail Project and second phase of Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project.
He said that earlier there was no modern thought or policy and so at different places, there were metros with different techniques that were not linked with other modes of transport.
Without naming the UPA, Modi said the difference between the approach of the previous government and his government can be seen in the expansion of the metro projects.
Before 2014, during 12 years, only 225km of metro lines were laid and as against this, since 2014, 450km lines have been laid. In 27 cities, metro lines are being laid over 1,000km, he added.
Today, even during COVID-19 times, works worth Rs 17,000 crore are beginning, he remarked.
Modi said that the metro will further strengthen connectivity in the major commercial hubs of Ahmedabad and Surat. The metros are being laid keeping in mind future requirements, he added.
Modi’s speech appeared more like an election speech as he listed achievements of the NDA government and emphasised on how Gujarat has developed over the years. Elections to civic bodies, including municipal corporations and panchayats, are due in Gujarat in February.
also read
- Bengaluru: Amidst metro suspensions on Green Line, technical snag hits Purple Line's services
- Metro trains collide in Beijing: 5 points as over hundred left with broken bones
- A 45-second ride: Why Kolkata Metro's tunnel under river Hoogly is an engineering marvel
- PM flags off Vande Bharat Express train; Lays emphasis on "Double Engine Government"
Modi highlighted how drinking water has reached distant areas and so has electricity. He also spoke how various schemes had benefited Gujarat.
Modi made a special mention of how MSMEs are being benefited due to government schemes. This was in reference to the fact that Ahmedabad and Surat have a large number of micro-, small- and medium-scale enterprises.
