PM Narendra Modi launches projects worth Rs 33,000 crore in Maharashtra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while in Mumbai on Tuesday, took a dig at the Congress-led government at the Centre and in Maharashtra for slow pace of infrastructure and housing projects during their tenure.

He also highlighted how the BJP government – which completes four-and-a-half years of rule at the Centre and in Maharashtra – had undertaken a slew of projects to improve infrastructure, reduce traffic congestion and provide low-income homes with speed and transparency.

The Prime Minister was speaking at a rally in Kalyan while laying down the foundation stone for infrastructure and housing projects worth Rs 33,000 crore.

These included the Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan Metro 5 and Dahisar-Mira-Bhayandar Metro-9 at Kalyan, Thane district. He also launched the City and Industrial Development Corporation's mass housing scheme, which offers around 89,771 affordable homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

"Our ideals, social commitment and speed exceed the Congress-led government's to complete projects and provide benefits to the deserving," he said. "It took eight years to commission the 11.4 km Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar link road in 2014. However, by 2024, Mumbai will have a 275-km long metro line. In the coming three years, a 35-km long Metro line will be added to the existing network."

Meanwhile, the party's partner in the state, the Shiv Sena was conspicuous by its absence at the rally. The couple – whose alliance hangs in a balance in the upcoming polls – has been squabbling of late. BJP Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was not invited to Sena's Coastal Road foundation laying ceremony on Sunday and all members of the party boycotted the event. In retaliation, the BJP did not extend an invitation to Sena president Uddhav Thackeray for Tuesday's event. This stand-off has led to a poster war in Kalyan city.

At the event, PM Modi said, "We have the infrastructure required for the fourth industrial revolution, as well as an army of young innovative minds, like the youngsters present here today."

He also took a swipe at Congress for not taking up the initiative to set up a Real Estate Regulation Authority, which caused inordinate delays in the delivery of homes, and pointed out that his government had fulfilled the task. "However, the government passed Real Estate (Development and Regulation) Act which led to setting up RERA by states which benefited the consumers most," he said. "Almost 21 states have already formed tribunals. At the national level, 35,000 real estate projects have registered."

He also cocked a snook at the party by indulging in wordplay: He pointed out the alleged Adarsh housing scam took place during the Congress rule in 2010 and that for his government 'Adarsh'' meant lofty ideals of development and providing homes to the needy.