Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar metro line opened in Pune; Fadnavis defends Rs 5,000 aid to farmers

The Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar metro line in Pune has been inaugurated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the line, which is expected to ease traffic congestion in the city. After the inauguration, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke to the media.

Meanwhile, the Opposition had criticised the ruling side over the Rs 5,000 aid being given to farmers. Fadnavis has now responded to that criticism.

On the metro, Fadnavis said: "The Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar metro line was necessary. This route had very heavy traffic jams, so people will certainly save time. It is a 23-km line with 23 stations. A PPP policy was framed, and this is the first line approved under PPP. The project had many hurdles. After clearing them one by one, the line has opened today. Puneites will benefit from it."

He said: "About 100 loco pilots have been trained, and all of them are women. This is the Pink Line. Women make up 50 per cent of the line's total staff. Even when the project was being managed, women held key engineering posts."

Fadnavis said: "The foundation stone for Phase 2 of Pune's metro has also been laid. This will give Pune connectivity in every direction. Once all the lines are complete, there will be a 120-km network, which will extend up to Purandar as well. The Mahayuti government has laid out a web of projects. A development plan is being prepared for Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and the PMRDA area." He also thanked Prime Minister Modi and said Modi is going to provide Rs 5,000 crore for the PMR Growth Centre, with which further work will be carried out.

Responding to the Opposition's criticism, Fadnavis said: "Those who are used to travelling in big cars and living in big houses will not understand the value of Rs 5,000. Farmers understand it. This is advance aid. We are going to help the farmers."

According to Fadnavis, if one goes back through the record, the Mahayuti government has given farmers the most help. He said: "The previous government cheated the farmers. The same people are speaking now. But whatever they say, we will help."

The chief minister also said that Prime Minister Modi has assured help because farmers in Maharashtra are in difficulty. Fadnavis said: "Combining his help and the state's help, we will help farmers stand on their own feet."