PM Modi launches Pune Metro projects, says India’s metro network increased from 248 km to 1,200 km in 12 years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the virtual inauguration of Pune Metro Line 3 and the foundation stone-laying ceremony for Phase-2 projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (November 3, 2026) said India's operational metro network, which covered 248 km before 2014, now covers 1,200 km, and stressed that better urban infrastructure would accelerate the country's economic growth.

"When the country gave the NDA the opportunity to serve in 2014, we set out with a resolve to ensure the ease of living and ease of transportation for the middle class living in cities," Mr. Modi said, after inaugurating Pune Metro Line 3 (Pink Line) via video conferencing.

Mr. Modi also laid the foundation stone of four new metro corridors under Phase-II, involving a total investment of around ₹21,800 crore.

He inaugurated the 23-km-long Pink Line, built at a cost of over ₹8,300 crore. The corridor will connect the Hinjewadi IT hub to the District Court Metro station.

Pune Metro's new Pink Line. File

It is expected to improve daily commutes for thousands of IT professionals, ease traffic congestion, and reduce dependence on private vehicles.

The Pink Line will be run by women operators. Around 30% of its electricity requirements will be met through solar power.

Mr. Modi also laid the foundation stone of Pune Metro Phase-II, estimated to cost around Rs 13,500 crore. The phase will comprise four corridors — Lines 2A, 2B, 4 and 4A — covering key residential, commercial and IT hubs across the city.

"India had only 248 km of metro network in 2014, which has now increased to around 1,200 km. While metro services were available in only five cities in 2014, they are now operational in 26 cities. More than one crore people travel by metro every day," the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Narendra inaugurates the Pune Metro Line 3 virtually, along with the foundation stone laying-ceremony for Phase-2 projects

He said India now figures among the world's top three metro networks, adding that the country has witnessed a transformation in urban transport infrastructure over the past 12 years.

The Prime Minister stressed that the expansion of metro networks across the country reflected the government's focus on people-centric and proactive good governance.

"The expansion of Pune Metro would improve connectivity, save commuting time and boost the city's productivity," Mr. Modi said, adding that better urban infrastructure would accelerate India's economic growth.

He said that with the commencement of metro services between Hinjewadi and Shivajinagar, a major IT hub of Pune will get better connectivity.

"The expansion of Pune Metro would strengthen connectivity between the city's old and new areas," he added.

Mr. Modi recalled laying the foundation stone for the first phase of Pune Metro around a decade ago.

Describing Pune as a centre of ideas that had given new direction to the nation and society, Mr. Modi said the city is also shaping India's new energy through its presence in IT, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, startups, innovation and manufacturing.

"Stronger metro connectivity is going to give a new impetus to Pune's development," he added.

Mr. Modi said the expansion of metro networks is not only saving commuting time but also improving convenience for citizens.

He said the development of metro infrastructure is transforming urban transportation across the country.

Mr. Modi said the operational metro network in Maharashtra has expanded from just 11 km in 2014 to nearly 200 km, while work is underway on more than 680 km of metro lines.

"Maharashtra is attracting investments of over Rs 2.5 lakh crore in metro infrastructure alone, generating employment for workers, engineers and businesses. This investment is putting money into the pockets of workers, providing employment to engineers and generating jobs in shops and factories," Mr. Modi said.

Noting that cities are not merely places to live but are major centres of economic activity, Mr. Modi stressed the need for developing hundreds of smaller cities across the country as growth hubs.

He expressed confidence that Maharashtra would play an expanding role in this endeavour.

"The Pune Metro Project is significant as it was developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, demonstrating how joint efforts between the government and private sector could accelerate development," he said.

Mr. Modi said urban infrastructure is central to the vision of a developed India, adding that cities are no longer identified only by their industries or products but increasingly by their competitiveness and quality of life.

"The expansion of metro networks is not only saving commuting time but also improving convenience for citizens. When a city's time is saved, its productivity increases, which in turn contributes to the country's economy and benefits the poor and the middle class," he added.

The Prime Minister said the Centre approved an Urban Challenge Fund in February this year, with ₹1 lakh crore in Central assistance aimed at mobilising investments in urban development over the coming years.

He urged local bodies and private sector stakeholders to work together in mission mode to transform smaller cities into growth hubs.

The Prime Minister said the government's approach was based on empowering people rather than merely providing assistance.

He also expressed concern over the difficulties faced by farmers in Maharashtra due to adverse weather conditions.

Mr. Modi said the Centre and the NDA government stood firmly with farmers during the crisis and assured them of support with sensitivity.

He urged people to ensure that farmers and rural families affected by the situation could also celebrate Deepavali, saying it was a collective social responsibility.

"We will face this calamity together. The collective effort of everyone is the lifeblood of a developed India," he said.

Pune / Narendra Modi / railway / government / investments / Maharashtra