Govt paving way for cleaner streets, better housing, faster Metros, greener cities in new India: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently praised the government’s steady push to transform India’s cities into vibrant hubs of growth. In a response to an article by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Modi shared on social media: “Indian cities are turning into engines of growth! Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri outlines how consistent efforts of the government are paving the way for cleaner streets, better housing, faster Metros and greener cities.”
Puri’s piece dives into how India’s urban areas are evolving into modern, humane spaces that balance ambition with inclusivity, while staying true to cultural roots. He points out that for years after Independence, cities took a backseat. Back then, urban planning leaned heavily on centralized models, leading to rundown buildings like Shastri Bhavan and Udyog Bhavan—symbols of bureaucracy more than progress.
By the 2010s, central Delhi looked grim: pothole-filled roads, leaking government offices, and endless traffic jams in the National Capital Region (NCR). Expressways were rare, Metro networks limited to just a few cities, and basic civic services were crumbling. Puri notes that a nation aiming for global leadership couldn’t afford such neglect in its own capital.
That’s where Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision kicked in. He flipped the script by putting cities front and center in India’s development plans, viewing them as powerhouses of progress and national pride. The changes are popping up everywhere. Take the Central Vista project: It turned Kartavya Path into a lively public spot, built a sleek new Parliament ready for the future, and created Kartavya Bhawan as an efficient governance center. Decay has given way to energy and optimism.
The numbers tell an even bigger story. From 2004 to 2014, the central government invested about ₹1.57 lakh crore in urban development. Since 2014, that has skyrocketed to nearly ₹28.5 lakh crore—a massive 16-fold jump. This huge funding is fueling India’s urban transformation at breakneck speed.
India’s overall economic boom and digital revolution are supercharging these efforts. As the world’s fourth-largest economy with a $4.2 trillion GDP, the country now relies on digital tools for daily life. A prime example is the Metro rail expansion. In 2014, India had just 248 km of Metro lines in five cities. Today, over 1,000 km connect more than 23 cities, ferrying over one crore passengers every day. New lines are under construction in places like Pune, Nagpur, Surat, and Agra, making commutes quicker, greener, and safer. It’s more than just tracks and stations—it’s about cutting travel time, improving air quality, and giving people back precious hours in their day.
Urban connectivity is getting a major upgrade too. In the NCR, the new Urban Extension Road II links key highways like NH-44, NH-9, and the Dwarka Expressway, easing chronic traffic snarls. India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System between Delhi and Meerut is already operational on key stretches and almost fully ready, slashing travel times to under an hour. These smart, high-speed networks are redefining city life for a bolder, more connected India.
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