A Viksit Bharat is one where there is both momentum and progress: PM

Modi inaugurates Navi Mumbai International Airport, dedicates Mumbai’s first underground metro to the nation

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

MUMBAI, OCTOBER 8, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the resolve for a Viksit Bharat — a developed India — lies in driving both speed and progress while ensuring public welfare remains at the heart of governance. Speaking after inaugurating the long-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and dedicating the Mumbai Metro Line-3 to the nation, he emphasized that government schemes are transforming lives by simplifying everyday challenges and creating opportunities for all citizens.

Calling the new international airport a defining moment in Mumbai’s development journey, Modi said the city’s decades-long wait has finally ended. “This airport will serve as a major gateway, turning the region into one of Asia’s largest connectivity hubs,” he remarked. Designed in the shape of a lotus to symbolize prosperity, NMIA will not only enhance global connectivity but also empower farmers and MSMEs by linking Maharashtra’s produce and industries to international markets. The Prime Minister noted that the airport would reduce export costs, boost investment, and generate new jobs and enterprises across the state.

PM addressing at the inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport and Mumbai Metro Line-3 at Mumbai, in Maharashtra on October 08, 2025.

He also dedicated Mumbai’s first fully underground metro line, describing it as a “living symbol of a developing India”. Constructed beneath one of the world’s busiest cities without disturbing its historic architecture, the metro will drastically cut travel time—from over two hours to just 30–40 minutes — offering commuters unprecedented ease and efficiency. Shri Modi commended the engineers and workers for their perseverance in making this ambitious project a reality.

Highlighting India’s fast-growing aviation landscape, the Prime Minister recalled his 2014 vision that even those wearing “hawai chappals” should be able to travel by air. “Back then, India had only 74 airports; today, we have more than 160,” he said. He attributed this expansion to the success of the UDAN scheme, which has enabled millions of first-time fliers and strengthened regional connectivity. With India now the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, Shri Modi said the focus is shifting to building a strong Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) ecosystem to make the country a global aviation hub by the end of this decade.

Emphasizing youth empowerment as the cornerstone of national growth, the Prime Minister cited the recently launched ₹60,000 crore PM Setu scheme, which links ITIs with industries. He noted that Maharashtra has rolled out new programs in hundreds of technical institutes to train students in cutting-edge fields such as drones, robotics, electric vehicles, solar energy, and green hydrogen. He also launched the Short-Term Employability Program (STEP), which will train thousands of students, including women, in emerging technologies across 400 ITIs and 150 technical high schools.

Modi reiterated that every rupee invested in infrastructure strengthens the people’s capabilities. Citing examples such as the ₹76,000 crore Vadhavan Port project, he said growth in logistics, transport, and trade fuels employment generation and drives the nation forward. Contrasting his government’s development-first approach with past misgovernance, he noted that projects like the Mumbai Metro had once been delayed for years, causing massive losses and inconvenience. “Stopping development is an injustice to citizens,” he asserted.

Reaffirming that national security remains paramount, Modi said, “Our government sends a message of strength, not surrender.” He referenced the country’s firm response to terrorism through decisive actions such as Operation Sindoor, which earned global acknowledgment.

On the economic front, the Prime Minister underlined the positive impact of recent GST reforms, which have made many goods more affordable and boosted consumption. “This Navratri season has broken records in sales of vehicles, appliances, and electronics — evidence of India’s growing purchasing power,” he observed. He urged citizens to embrace *swadeshi* products and proudly say, “This is swadeshi,” emphasizing that when every Indian buys locally made goods, it strengthens domestic industries and creates employment for millions.

Modi also inaugurated the “Mumbai One” Integrated Mobility App, which unifies 11 public transport systems — including metro, suburban railways, BEST buses, and monorail — allowing users to buy digital tickets, plan multimodal journeys, and access real-time updates through a single platform. The initiative, he said, marks another step towards the vision of ‘One Nation, One Mobility’.

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Lokneta D. B. Patil for his service to farmers and society, calling him an inspiration for all. He lauded Maharashtra’s enduring leadership in driving national progress and pledged continued collaboration between the Union and State governments to empower every town and village. “When there is resolve, results follow,” he said, extending his best wishes to the people of Maharashtra for the state’s new era of growth and connectivity.

The event was attended by Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Ministers Ramdas Athawale, Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Murlidhar Mohol, and Japan’s Ambassador to India Keiichi Ono, among other dignitaries.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport, developed under a PPP model at a cost of ₹19,650 crore, spans 1,160 hectares and will handle up to 90 million passengers annually. The ₹37,270 crore Mumbai Metro Line-3, spanning 33.5 km from Cuffe Parade to Aarey, is Mumbai’s first underground metro system. Both projects mark significant milestones in India’s infrastructure transformation.)