Referring to India’s growing identity as the hub of innovation and startups, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India has crossed 1 lakh startups compared to a few hundred about nine years ago. He credited the expansion of digital infrastructure for this success and praised Pune for its role in the foundation of India’s digital infrastructure.
“Cheap data, affordable phones and Internet facilities reaching every village has strengthened the sector. India is among the countries with the fastest rollout of 5G services. Strides made by the youth in fintech, biotech and agritech are benefitting Pune. There has been unprecedented investments being made by the government in Maharashtra: examples being the development of new expressways, railway routes and airports in the state. When Maharashtra will develop, India will develop,” he said while laying the foundation stone and inaugurating various development projects in Pune on Tuesday.
Modi handed over more than 1280 houses constructed under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana by Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and more than 2650 PMAY houses constructed by Pune Municipal Corporation to the beneficiaries. He also laid the foundation stone for a total over 7,500 PMAY houses to be constructed by PCMC and PMRDA in near future.
Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, and other ministers were present on the occasion.
