PM Modi inaugurates Pune Metro Line 3, India's first fully woman-operated metro, online

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Pune Metro Line 3 online. The line will be the country's first metro operated entirely by women. About 100 women train pilots, together with women making up 50 per cent of the staff at stations, will run it. Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar said this was a matter of pride.

She said Pune is a cultural, educational and industrial centre, with a growing population and a growing need for transport. In view of this, she said, it is necessary to build a modern, safe and environment-friendly public transport system.

Line 3 is the country's first metro line built through a public-private partnership (PPP). The project has been completed at a cost of about Rs 8,313 crore. Modi had also laid its foundation stone, in 2018.

The Union Cabinet has approved four extension lines in the second phase, and their foundation stone is being laid today. The lines are 31 km long and will have 28 stations. The Centre has approved a project of about Rs 9,858 crore for them.

The extension will connect Vanaz to Chandni Chowk, Ramwadi to Vitthalwadi, Kothrud, Bavdhan, Viman Nagar, Kharadi and Wagholi by metro. Once all projects are complete, the Pune Metro network will exceed 100 km. Sunetra Pawar also said the R. K. Laxman Museum and Savitribai Phule Pune University stations on this route will pay tribute to the "Common Man" and to the work of Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule respectively.

She said the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar made a valuable contribution to every detailed project report (DPR) of the Pune Metro, from preparation to approval. As finance minister, he made available the funds the project needed. In July, he inspected the metro stations in Hinjewadi and directed that the work be completed to a high standard and on time.

A special task force headed by the district collector has been set up to resolve problems of roads, traffic, water, electricity, waste management and metro connectivity in the Hinjewadi, Man and Marunji areas. Works worth Rs 426 crore on internal roads leading to the metro stations have been approved. Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar assured that, as guardian minister, she would personally keep a close watch until these works are actually completed.