Pune, June 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047, the centenary year of Independence, rests on a strong foundation built over the past 12 years, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol said on Sunday.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP's city office in Pune, Mohol said the Modi government had prioritised both welfare schemes and infrastructure development, ensuring that basic services such as electricity, water, healthcare and connectivity reached even the country's rural regions.
"During the Congress era, many citizens remained deprived of basic development. The Modi government has successfully delivered essential services to rural India and strengthened India's position on the global stage," he said.
The press conference was organised to mark Prime Minister Modi completing 12 consecutive years in office, making him the longest-serving Prime Minister since India's Independence. BJP Pune city president Dheeraj Ghate, Pimpri-Chinchwad city president Shatrughna Kate, district president Pradeep Kand and Shekhar Vadhane were also present.
Mohol said that after receiving a clear mandate in 2014, the BJP-led NDA government accelerated development under the slogan "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas."
Mohol said India's economy has grown from the world's 11th-largest to the fourth-largest, while inflation has remained under control. He highlighted welfare schemes, ₹51 lakh crore in DBT transfers, expanded highways, railway electrification, Vande Bharat trains, metro networks, Jan Dhan accounts and digital payments as key drivers of development. He also said India has emerged as a defence exporter and strengthened its rural economy through the Ministry of Cooperation.
Speaking about Pune, Mohol said several major infrastructure projects are expected to transform the city's transport network in the coming years.
These include:
A 56-kilometre underground transit corridor
The Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar Metro project
Expansion of Pune Airport
Deployment of 1,000 electric buses
He noted that Pune Airport has emerged as one of the country's key aviation hubs. Future metro connectivity plans include linking Khadakwasla to Hinjawadi and connecting Pimpri-Chinchwad with Lohegaon Airport.
India's economy moved from 11th to 4th place globally
Inflation kept under control
₹51 lakh crore transferred through DBT schemes
Free food grains provided to 80% of the population
National highway construction increased threefold
Railway electrification completed across the network
Metro services expanded to 23 cities
Number of airports increased from 74 to 165
Expansion of Jan Dhan accounts and digital payments
Record growth in defence exports
Mohol said these achievements have laid the groundwork for India's goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
