Watch: PM Modi flags off two new Metro trains in Pune

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off two metro trains in Pune on Tuesday marking the inauguration of services on completed sections of the two corridors of Pune Metro Phase I. These sections are from Phugewadi station to Civil Court station and Garware College station to Ruby Hall Clinic station. The Foundation Stone of the project was also laid by the Prime Minister in 2016.

The new sections will connect important places of Pune city like Shivaji Nagar, Civil Court, Pune Municipal Corporation office, Pune RTO and Pune Railway Station.

The inauguration is an important step towards realising the vision of the Prime Minister to provide the citizens with modern and environment-friendly mass rapid urban transport systems across the country.

The design of some of the metro stations on the route draws inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Chhatrapati Sambhaji Udyan Metro Station and Deccan Gymkhana metro stations have a unique design resembling the headgear worn by soldiers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj – also known as “Mavala Pagadi.” The Shivaji Nagar underground Metro station has a distinctive design reminiscent of the forts built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Another unique feature is that the Civil Court metro station is one of the deepest metro stations in the country, with the lowest point at 33.1 m. The station roof is made in such a manner that direct sunlight falls on the platform.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Waste to Energy Plant under Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Developed at a cost of about Rs 300 crores, the plant will use up about 2.5 lakh MT of waste annually to produce electricity.

Moving ahead towards the mission of achieving “Housing for All,” the Prime Minister handed over more than 1280 houses constructed under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana by PCMC. He also handed over more than   2650 PMAY houses constructed by Pune Municipal Corporation. Besides, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of around 1190 PMAY houses to be constructed by PCMC, and of over 6400 houses constructed by Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority.