PM Modi Inaugurates Metro Projects Worth Rs. 22,800 Crore in Bengaluru, Showcases India’s Rising Global Power and Digital Future. 

Bengaluru:

In a landmark event that underscores India’s infrastructure push and technological ambitions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for metro projects worth around Rs. 22,800 crore in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Addressing a massive gathering at KSR Railway Station, the Prime Minister also flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains, further reinforcing India’s commitment to modern, high-speed connectivity.

The visit marked PM Modi’s first to Bengaluru since the highly successful Operation Sindoor, and he used the occasion to underscore India’s military strength, economic resilience, and digital progress. “The entire world has witnessed this new face of India — the strength to strike deep across the border and the capability to bring Pakistan to its knees within hours,” he stated.

Major Infrastructure Boost for Bengaluru

At the heart of the event was the inauguration of the 19.15 km Yellow Line of Bangalore Metro, stretching from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra. This segment, built at a cost of around Rs. 7,160 crore, adds 16 new stations to Bengaluru’s expanding metro network, significantly enhancing connectivity in key industrial and residential zones. With this addition, the city’s operational metro length surpasses 96 kilometers.

In addition, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for Bangalore Metro Phase-3, an ambitious Rs. 15,610 crore project comprising 44.65 km of elevated tracks and 31 new stations. This phase, which includes the Orange Line, is expected to serve over 25 lakh daily commuters, easing Bengaluru’s notorious traffic congestion and enhancing urban mobility.

Flagging Off 3 New Vande Bharat Trains

The Prime Minister also flagged off three new Vande Bharat Express trains:

• Bengaluru to Belagavi
• Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune
• Amritsar to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra

These high-speed, state-of-the-art trains are poised to significantly reduce travel time, boost tourism, and enhance trade connectivity across these routes. Notably, the Bengaluru–Belagavi route is expected to particularly benefit Karnataka’s industrial belt.

Bengaluru: The Face of New India

Hailing Bengaluru as a beacon of New India, PM Modi praised the city’s blend of philosophical depth and technological innovation. He recalled the vision of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, the city’s founder, and said, “Bengaluru today is realizing that very dream — rooted in tradition yet soaring toward modernity.”

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of preparing India’s cities for the future through robust urban planning and sustainable infrastructure. He lauded the participation of private entities like Infosys Foundation, Biocon, and Delta Electronics in co-funding metro stations through CSR, calling it a “new model of public infrastructure development.”

India’s Economic and Technological Leap

In a powerful address, PM Modi reflected on India’s unprecedented growth since 2014:

• Fastest-growing major economy in the world
• Jumped from 10th to 5th largest economy globally
• On track to become one of the top three economies

He highlighted key achievements:

• Metro network now spans 1,000+ km in 24 cities, making India the third-largest metro network globally.
• Railway electrification more than doubled to 40,000 km in 11 years.
• Airports increased from 74 in 2014 to over 160 today.
• Operational national waterways expanded from 3 to 30.
• AIIMS increased from 7 to 22, and medical colleges from 387 to 704.
• Over one lakh new medical seats added.

From Mobile Imports to Tech Exports

The Prime Minister underscored India’s transformation from a major importer to a significant exporter in key industries:

• Electronics exports surged from $6 billion to $38 billion
• Automobile exports more than doubled, placing India as the 4th-largest automobile exporter
• Mobile phones are now a top-5 export category

He credited Bengaluru’s innovation ecosystem as a key driver of these changes.

Digital India Leading to Viksit Bharat

PM Modi reiterated that the journey to Viksit Bharat (Developed India) would be powered by Digital India. Citing the India AI Mission, Semiconductor Mission, and India’s global leadership in real-time digital payments via UPI, he said:

“Technology is empowering even the poorest of the poor. More than 2,200 government services are now available on mobile. Through UPI, India accounts for over 50% of the world’s real-time transactions.”

He added that India is investing in AI-powered threat detection, emphasizing national security as a tech priority.

Call for Tech Self-Reliance

Calling for a renewed push toward tech self-reliance, the Prime Minister stated:

“India’s tech companies build software for the world — it’s time we also build for India.”

He urged startups and enterprises, especially in Bengaluru, to lead in developing indigenous software, apps, and products, while aligning with the Zero Defect, Zero Effect manufacturing principle.

Reform Agenda and Federal Cooperation

Highlighting ongoing governance reforms, PM Modi announced the upcoming Jan Vishwas 2.0 to further decriminalize obsolete laws. He urged state governments to join the central reform movement, citing the Mission Karmayogi training initiative and the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme as models for local adaptation.

“Whether it’s the central government or the states — we all must work hand-in-hand for the people,” he said.

The event was attended by Governor of Karnataka  Thaawarchand Gehlot, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Union Ministers Manohar Lal, H.D. Kumaraswamy, Ashwini Vaishnaw, V. Somanna, and Shobha Karandlaje.

With the inauguration of massive infrastructure projects, the launch of new high-speed trains, and a rallying call for technological and economic self-reliance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bengaluru visit today marks a significant milestone in India’s journey toward becoming a Viksit Bharat.

The message was clear: India is no longer just dreaming big — it is delivering on those dreams at a historic pace.