PM Modi Pledges to Transform Mumbai into a Global Financial Powerhouse

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to transform Mumbai, the country’s financial capital, into one of the world’s leading financial powerhouses.

He made this announcement after inaugurating the first phase of the D.B. Patil International Airport in Navi Mumbai.

On his two-day visit to Maharashtra, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for infrastructure projects worth over Rs 30,000 crore, including the Mumbai Metro 3 and various skill development initiatives.

The event was attended by Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, among others.

Highlighting Maharashtra’s progress, Modi said the state leads in agriculture and industry and now aims to top the country in tourism as well. There is immense potential for conference and medical tourism in Maharashtra, he noted.

The Prime Minister emphasized that both the NDA government at the Centre and the Mahayuti government in the state have remained committed to infrastructure development.

He cited the completion of the Mumbai Coastal Road and Atal Setu projects, pointing out that despite opposition during construction, these projects have significantly reduced travel time and fuel costs for around 20,000 motorists daily, while also helping prevent environmental damage.

Modi highlighted Mumbai’s rapid metro expansion, from just 8 km a decade ago to 80 km now, and said the city would soon have a 200-km metro network.

He also mentioned the modernization of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, which can now handle 24-coach trains.

Referring to pilgrimage infrastructure, he said that the 200-km Sant Dnyaneshwar Palkhi route and the 110-km Jagadguru Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi route have been completed.

According to the Prime Minister, this infrastructure boom is boosting industries, agriculture, employment generation, and women’s safety. Our government has prioritized the upliftment of marginalized communities.

Over four crore homes have been provided to the poor, and another three crore will be built soon, he stated, assuring that urban poor and middle-class families would also see their housing dreams fulfilled.

Under the PM SVANidhi scheme, 90 lakh small vendors have received loans, including 13 lakh in Maharashtra. This has increased their monthly income by at least 2,000. These small entrepreneurs have conducted digital transactions worth 3.75 lakh crore, giving a strong push to Digital India, Modi added.

PM Modi also lauded Maharashtra’s initiative to provide skill training to 10 lakh youths annually under the Skill Development Scheme. Citing a recent Reserve Bank of India report, he said eight crore new jobs have been created nationwide in the past three to four years.

"This is a slap in the face of those spreading lies that youth are not getting jobs,” he remarked, adding that such rumour-mongers are “betraying the nation’s youth and obstructing investment and development.