PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates and Lays Foundation Stone for Rs 12,200 Crore Infrastructure and Metro Expansion Projects in Delhi

On January 05 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over Rs 12,200 crore, including metro expansions and infrastructure upgrades, in Delhi.

• These initiatives aim to enhance regional connectivity and ensure more convenient travel for the public.

Key Attendees: The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Union Minister Manohar Lal, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA),Lieutenant (Lt.) Governor of Delhi, Vinay Kumar Saxena, and Chief Minister (CM) of Delhi, Atishi Marlena Singh along with others.

Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) Project:

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated a 13-Kilometer(km) stretch of the Namo Bharat corridor between Sahibabad in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh(UP) and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi costing around Rs 4,600 crore.

• This is the first Namo Bharat corridor in Delhi and will improve travel between Delhi and Meerut in UP.

About Delhi – Meerut RRTS Project:

i.This semi-high-speed rail corridor spans 82.15 km, connecting Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut.

• The corridor will have 22 stations in total, with a mix of elevated and underground structures.

ii.Trains are designed to travel at a maximum speed of 180 kilometers per hour (km/h) with operational speeds up to 160 km/h, cutting travel time to less than 60 minutes for the full corridor.

Janakpuri-Krishna Park Section of Delhi Metro Phase-IV:

PM Narendra Modi also inaugurated the 2.8-km Janakpuri-Krishna Park stretch of Delhi Metro Phase-IV, a project worth Rs.1,200 crore.

i.With the addition of Krishna Park Extension station, the Delhi Metro network now comprises 289 stations spanning 394.448 km.

ii.This new section will enhance connectivity for key areas in West Delhi, including Janakpuri, Krishna Park, and Vikaspuri, improving travel options for thousands of commuters.

Rithala-Kundli Section of Delhi Metro Phase-IV:

i.The PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the 26.5-km Rithala-Kundli section of Delhi Metro Phase-IV, valued at Rs 6,230 crore.

ii.This new corridor will connect Rithala in Delhi to Nathupur in Haryana, improving connectivity to key areas like Rohini, Bawana, and Narela in Delhi, while extending the Red Line into Haryana.

Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) in Rohini, Delhi:

i.PM Narendra Modi also laid the foundation stone for a modern campus of the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) in Rohini, New Delhi, to be built at a cost of Rs 185 crore.

ii.The facility will include administrative, outpatient (OPD), inpatient (IPD), and treatment blocks, offering advanced healthcare services and supporting research in Ayurveda.

Note: A special AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) visa has been  introduced to facilitate foreign nationals in accessing AYUSH treatments in India.

Key facts:

i.Over the last 10 years, India has added 752 km of metro lines, making its metro network the third-largest in the world, with over 1,000 km operational.

ii.The budget for infrastructure development has grown significantly from Rs 2 lakh crore to over Rs 11 lakh crore in the last decade.