New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over ₹12,200 crore in Delhi, aiming to bolster regional connectivity and improve urban mobility. Among the highlights was the Namo Bharat Train ride undertaken by the Prime Minister from Sahibabad RRTS Station to New Ashok Nagar RRTS Station, showcasing the future of public transportation in India.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the transformative impact of these projects on Delhi-NCR. He noted that the Namo Bharat project, upon completion, will significantly ease traffic on the Delhi-Meerut route. The Prime Minister congratulated the people of Delhi-NCR, calling the projects a “significant gift from the Government of India”.
Highlighting the rapid growth of India’s metro network, the Prime Minister remarked, “Today, India’s metro network spans over 1,000 kilometers, making it the third-largest globally.” He noted the progress since 2014, when India had only 248 kilometers of metro lines across five cities, to now having metro services operational in 21 cities with 752 kilometers of new lines inaugurated in the past decade.
The event also marked the inauguration of new metro routes and the laying of the foundation stone for the Rithala-Narela-Kundli corridor, which will connect key industrial hubs in Delhi and Haryana. The Prime Minister lauded the significant expansion of the Delhi Metro network, which has more than doubled since 2014, and emphasized its role in strengthening urban and regional connectivity.
The Prime Minister underscored the government’s focus on infrastructure development, pointing out that the budget for infrastructure has risen from ₹2 lakh crore a decade ago to over ₹11 lakh crore today. He highlighted the construction of expressways, industrial corridors, multi-modal logistics hubs, and freight corridors converging in Delhi-NCR, all of which are contributing to economic growth and job creation.
“Modern infrastructure ensures a dignified and quality life for everyone, including the poor and middle class,” he said.
In addition to infrastructure, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the Central Ayurveda Research Institute in Rohini. He reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting AYUSH and Ayurveda, with India’s traditional medicine systems now recognized in over 100 countries.
The Prime Minister highlighted the introduction of a special AYUSH visa to facilitate international patients seeking treatment in India and noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) is establishing its first traditional medicine institution in the country.
“India has immense potential to become the world’s health and wellness capital,” he said, envisioning a future where “Heal in India” becomes a global mantra alongside “Make in India.”
Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence that these development initiatives would propel Delhi to new heights of progress. “These projects are not just milestones; they are stepping stones towards a better future for all citizens,” he concluded.