Pune, Nov. 3 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said nearly 50 crore people had moved out of extreme poverty in India over the past 10 to 12 years, citing a World Bank report, and contrasted the achievement with what he described as an earlier approach in which the fight against poverty remained confined to "slogans".
Speaking after inaugurating Pune Metro's 23-km Pink Line through video conferencing, Modi said poverty reduction, infrastructure development and improved access to basic services were interconnected, adding that his government's focus was on empowering people to improve their living conditions rather than merely providing assistance.
"Earlier, the fight against poverty was limited to slogans. Today, India is defeating poverty on the ground," he said.
The Prime Minister said investments in roads, railways, airports, metro networks, electricity, drinking water and gas pipelines were improving livelihoods and generating employment. Housing, toilets, tap water and LPG connections for poor households had also saved time, strengthened confidence and created opportunities for additional income, he added.
Referring to his 25 years in public office, Modi said the government's approach was to equip people to overcome poverty through their own efforts. "Power to empower, this is good governance," he said.
On urban development, Modi said India's operational metro network had expanded from 248 km before 2014 to around 1,200 km, placing the country among the world's
three largest metro networks. In Maharashtra, the operational network had grown from 11 km to nearly 200 km, while construction was underway on more than 680 km of additional lines.
The newly inaugurated Pink Line, built at an investment of over Rs 8,300 crore, will connect the Hinjewadi IT hub with the District Court Metro station. The project is expected to ease congestion, improve connectivity for IT professionals and reduce dependence on private vehicles.
Modi also laid the foundation stones for four new metro corridors under Pune Metro Phase-II, involving an estimated investment of Rs 13,500 crore. The proposed Lines 2A, 2B, 4 and 4A will connect important residential, commercial and IT areas. The announcements formed part of a wider infrastructure push involving projects worth around Rs 21,800 crore.
"When the country gave the NDA the opportunity to serve in 2014, we set out with a resolve to ensure the ease of living and ease of transportation for the middle class living in cities," he said.
Describing cities as major centres of economic activity, Modi said better public transport could save commuting time, improve productivity and contribute to economic growth. He also referred to the Urban Challenge Fund approved in February, under which Rs 1 lakh crore in Central assistance is intended to mobilise investment in urban development.
He urged local bodies and private companies to work together to develop smaller cities as future growth centres. The Pune project, developed under a public-private partnership model, demonstrated the role of collaboration in accelerating infrastructure development, he said.
Turning to Maharashtra's drought situation, Modi assured farmers that the Union government would stand by them during the crisis. The state government has declared 85 per cent of Maharashtra drought-hit and announced interim assistance of Rs 5,000 before Diwali.
"I want to assure every farmer in Maharashtra that during this difficult time, the NDA government stands with them with full sensitivity. Do not worry, we are all standing with our farmers. We will collectively face this crisis," he said.
Acknowledging water conservation work undertaken by the state government under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Modi said the current natural calamity had created serious challenges. Referring to support through the PM-KISAN scheme, he reiterated the Centre's commitment to the farming community.
He also appealed to people to remember drought-affected families during the festive season and ensure that they could celebrate Diwali.
"We must ensure that Diwali celebrations reach their homes as well. This is also our social responsibility," he said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.