Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rs 7.16 billion Yellow Line of the Bangalore Metro and laid the foundation stone for the Rs 15.61 billion Phase Three project in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He also flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains from KSR Railway Station, connecting Bengaluru–Belagavi, Nagpur–Pune, and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Amritsar.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister praised Bengaluru’s role in India’s technological rise, calling it a city that embodies philosophical depth and cutting-edge innovation. He highlighted the Yellow Line’s connectivity from RV Road to Bommasandra, which will reduce travel time between Basavanagudi and Electronic City, improving ease of living for lakhs of residents. The upcoming Orange Line under Phase Three is expected to facilitate daily travel for 2.5 million passengers when combined with the Yellow Line.

Mr Modi lauded the innovative funding model involving CSR contributions from companies such as Infosys Foundation, Biocon, and Delta Electronics for metro station development. He emphasised that such partnerships are setting new benchmarks for public infrastructure projects.

Referring to Operation Sindoor, the Prime Minister hailed India’s defence capabilities, citing the swift destruction of terrorist hideouts across the border and forcing Pakistan into retreat within hours. He credited this to technological strength and the Make in India initiative in defence manufacturing, noting the contribution of Karnataka’s youth.

The Prime Minister underscored India’s rapid progress — moving from the 10th to the fifth-largest economy in 11 years, with ambitions to enter the top three. Infrastructure achievements since 2014 include metro expansion from five cities to 1,000 km across 24 cities, electrification of over 40,000 km of railway routes, and the doubling of operational airports to more than 160.

He also noted significant advances in waterways, health, and education — from seven AIIMS in 2014 to 22 today, and medical seats increasing by over one million in 11 years. Higher education has expanded with more IITs, IIITs, and IIMs, while initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana have delivered over 40 million houses, with another 30 million planned.

Highlighting India’s export growth — mobile handset exports now ranking among the world’s top five and electronics exports rising from USD 6 billion to USD 38 billion — Mr Modi said these reflect the strength of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

He called for self-reliance in technology, greater focus on indigenous product development, and adherence to the ‘Zero Defect, Zero Effect’ principle. He also urged state governments to push reforms, adopt competency-based training, and focus on aspirational regions.

The event was attended by Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Union Ministers Manohar Lal, H.D. Kumaraswamy, Ashwini Vaishnaw, V. Somanna, and Shobha Karandlaje, among other dignitaries.