Vinod Bhat
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Yellow Line of Bangalore Metro worth around Rs 7,160 crore and laid the foundation stone of Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project worth over Rs 15,610 crore in Bengaluru, Karnataka today. He also flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains at KSR Railway Station, Bengaluru. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, he remarked that upon setting foot on the land of Karnataka, he felt a sense of belonging. Highlighting the richness of Karnataka’s culture, the affection of its people, and the sweetness of the Kannada language, which deeply touches the heart, Shri Modi began by paying respects at the feet of Bengaluru’s presiding deity, Annamma Thayi. Recalling that centuries ago, Nadaprabhu Kempegowda laid the foundation of Bengaluru city, the Prime Minister noted that Kempegowda envisioned a city rooted in tradition while also reaching new heights of progress. “Bengaluru has always lived that spirit and preserved it and today, Bengaluru is realizing that very dream”, stated the PM.
“Today, Bengaluru is emerging as a city that has become a symbol of New India’s rise”, stated Shri Modi, describing it as a city whose soul embodies philosophical wisdom, and whose actions reflect technological expertise. He highlighted that Bengaluru is a city which has proudly placed India on the global IT map, crediting the success story of Bengaluru to the hard work and talent of its people.
“In the 21st century, urban planning and urban infrastructure are critical needs for our cities”, emphasised the Prime Minister, stating that cities like Bengaluru must be prepared for the future. He highlighted that in recent years, the Government of India has launched projects worth thousands of crores for Bengaluru and today, this campaign is gaining new momentum. Shri Modi inaugurated the Bangalore Metro Yellow Line and laid the foundation stone for Metro Phase-Three. He also flagged off three new Vande Bharat trains connecting different parts of the country. He added that the commencement of Vande Bharat service between Bengaluru and Belagavi will boost trade and tourism in Belagavi. Additionally, Vande Bharat Express trains were launched between Nagpur and Pune, and between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Amritsar. The Prime Minister noted that these services will benefit lakhs of devotees and promote tourism. He congratulated the people of Bengaluru, Karnataka, and the entire nation for these projects and the new Vande Bharat trains.
Mentioning that this is his first visit to Bengaluru following Operation Sindoor, Shri Modi highlighted the success of Indian forces in Operation Sindoor, noting their capability to destroy terrorist hideouts deep across the border. He emphasized India’s strength in forcing Pakistan, who came to defend the terrorists, to its knees within hours. “The entire world has witnessed this new face of New India”, remarked the Prime Minister, attributing the success of Operation Sindoor to the power of technology and the strength of Make in India in the defence sector. He acknowledged the significant contribution of the youth of Bengaluru and Karnataka in this achievement, and extended his congratulations to all for their role in this success.
Noting that Bengaluru is now recognized alongside major global cities, the Prime Minister emphasized that India must not only compete globally but also lead. He remarked that progress will come only when our cities are smart, fast, and efficient, underscoring the government’s strong focus on completing modern infrastructure projects. Shri Modi announced the commencement of the Yellow Line of Bangalore Metro from RV Road to Bommasandra, which will connect several key areas of Bengaluru. He noted that travel time between Basavanagudi and Electronic City will now be significantly reduced. This, he said, will enhance ease of living and ease of working for lakhs of people.
Shri Modi stated that whether it is the central government or state governments, all are committed to serving the people, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to improve the lives of citizens. He highlighted that a key responsibility in this direction is the implementation of new reforms. The Prime Minister noted that over the past decade, the central government has consistently advanced reforms. As an example, he cited the passage of the Jan Vishwas Bill to decriminalize laws, and announced that Jan Vishwas 2.0 is also being introduced. He encouraged state governments to identify laws with unnecessary criminal provisions and work toward eliminating them. Shri Modi mentioned the Mission Karmayogi initiative, aimed at providing competency-based training to government employees. He suggested that states can adopt this learning framework for their officials as well. Highlighting the focus on the Aspirational Districts Programme and the Aspirational Block Programme, the Prime Minister urged states to similarly identify regions that require special attention. He concluded by calling for continuous reform efforts at the state level, expressing confidence that these joint initiatives will take Karnataka to new heights of development and affirmed that together, we will fulfill the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Governor of Karnataka, Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Siddaramaiah, Union Ministers Shri Manohar Lal, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Shri V. Somanna, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje were present among other dignitaries at the event.
Background
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Yellow line from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra of Bangalore Metro Phase-2 project having a route length of over 19 km with 16 stations worth around Rs 7,160 crore. With the opening of this yellow line, the operational metro network in Bengaluru will increase to over 96 km serving a large population in the region.
Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project worth over Rs 15,610 crore. The total route length of the project will be more than 44 km with 31 elevated stations. This infrastructure project will address the growing transportation needs of the city catering to residential, industrial, commercial and educational areas.
Prime Minister also flagged off 3 Vande Bharat Express trains from Bengaluru. It includes trains from Bengaluru to Belagavi, Amritsar to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune. These high-speed trains will significantly enhance regional connectivity, reduce travel time and provide a world-class travel experience to the passengers.
