New Delhi, Nov. 3 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for transforming hundreds of small cities into growth hubs, stressing that urban centres were not just places to live but also major centres of the country's economic activity.

Modi made the remarks while inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of Pune Metro projects worth around Rs 21,800 crore through video conferencing. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also participated in the programme. The Prime Minister also flagged off Pune Metro Line 3, also known as the Pink Line.

Addressing an event through video conferencing, Modi said the Urban Challenge Fund, approved in February this year, would provide Rs.1 lakh crore in central government funding to attr...