Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a significant visit to Maharashtra on Saturday, starting with spiritual prayers at the Jagdamba Mata temple in Poharadevi. This visit highlights the Prime Minister’s commitment to engaging with local traditions and supporting developmental initiatives in the state. Upon arrival, PM Modi participated in local customs by playing a traditional dhol at the Samadhi of Sant Seva Lal Ji Maharaj, a gesture that resonated well with the local populace and showcased his effort to connect with Maharashtra’s rich cultural heritage.
Following his spiritual activities, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Banjara Virasat Museum in Washim, celebrating the heritage and traditions of the Banjara community. The event was graced by Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, underlining the importance of community heritage in the region. One of the highlights of PM Modi’s visit is the inauguration of the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Mumbai Metro Line 3, the city’s first fully underground metro line. A 12.69-kilometre stretch, connecting Aarey JVLR to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), will be partially opened. During the flagging-off ceremony at BKC metro station, the Prime Minister will take a ride from BKC to Santacruz metro station, engaging with Laadki Bahin beneficiaries, students, and workers aboard the train.
Additionally, PM Modi will launch the MetroConnect3 mobile app, aimed at enhancing the travel experience with modern features. He will also unveil a coffee table book chronicling the development journey of Mumbai’s underground metro, filled with captivating visuals. In alignment with his commitment to farmers, PM Modi will disburse the 18th instalment of the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi, totaling approximately Rs 20,000 crore to about 9.4 crore farmers. This latest release will bring the cumulative funds disbursed under the scheme to around Rs 3.45 lakh crore. Furthermore, he will announce the 5th instalment of the NaMo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana, providing an additional Rs 2,000 crore to support farmers.
The Prime Minister will also dedicate over 7,500 projects under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), valued at more than Rs 1,920 crore. These projects encompass custom hiring centres, primary processing units, warehouses, cold storage facilities, and post-harvest management initiatives. Additionally, he will inaugurate 9,200 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) with a total turnover of approximately Rs 1,300 crore. PM Modi’s visit also includes the dedication of five solar parks with a cumulative capacity of 19 MW across Maharashtra under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana – 2.0. He will honor beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, further demonstrating his government’s commitment to empowering local communities.
In addition to these initiatives, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the Elevated Eastern Freeway Extension from Chheda Nagar to Anand Nagar, Thane, a project worth around Rs 3,310 crore, enhancing connectivity from South Mumbai to Thane. He will also initiate Phase-1 of the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) project, valued at approximately Rs 2,550 crore, which includes constructing vital infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and flyovers. Finally, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for a new administrative building for the Thane Municipal Corporation, set to cost around Rs 700 crore. This new high-rise building aims to centralize municipal offices, providing greater convenience to Thane’s citizens. Through this visit, PM Modi not only emphasizes his commitment to Maharashtra’s cultural heritage but also reaffirms his government’s dedication to fostering economic development and supporting local communities.
