Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today emphasised Bengaluru’s critical role in India’s Defence technology and the Make in India mission, linking the city’s vibrant tech ecosystem and talented youth to the success of Operation Sindoor.
The operation, which involved striking terrorist camps deep inside enemy territory and swiftly overpowering Pakistan’s forces, has been hailed as a demonstration of India’s growing military prowess powered by indigenous technology and innovation.
Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the Bengaluru Metro Yellow Line and the foundation laying of Phase 3, PM Modi praised the contributions of Karnataka’s youth to Defence manufacturing and technology, underlining how Bengaluru is emerging as a crucial hub not only for IT but also for high-end Defence production. He called upon Karnataka’s talent pool to lead the vision of an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) in the tech sector.
“The success of Operation Sindoor is a testament to the strength of our technology and Defence capabilities built on the foundation of Make in India,” said the Prime Minister. “Bengaluru’s youth and Karnataka’s industrial ecosystem have played a major role in this achievement.”
The Prime Minister described Bengaluru as a city deeply rooted in tradition and culture but simultaneously poised at the forefront of progress and innovation. He paid tribute to the city’s founder, Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, highlighting his vision of a city that balances heritage with development.
On the urban infrastructure front, PM Modi inaugurated the much-awaited Yellow Line of the Bengaluru Metro, which will connect critical areas from RV Road to Bommasandra, easing travel for millions and enhancing connectivity between important residential and business hubs.
He also laid the foundation stone for Phase 3 of the metro which includes the Orange Line, expected to serve 2.5 million daily passengers, further strengthening Bengaluru’s public transport network.
In a major boost to regional and national connectivity, the Prime Minister flagged off three new Vande Bharat Express trains. The Bengaluru-Belagavi route, in particular, is expected to significantly bolster trade and tourism between Karnataka’s commercial centers. Additional trains running between Nagpur-Pune and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Amritsar will serve millions of passengers, including pilgrims, fostering greater integration and economic activity.
Detailing India’s impressive economic growth trajectory, PM Modi noted that over the past 11 years, the country has risen from the world’s 10th largest economy to the top 5 and is rapidly advancing towards becoming a top 3 economy. This growth is attributed to relentless reforms and transformational initiatives such as expanding metro rail networks from just 5 cities in 2014 to 24 cities today, creating more than 1,000 kilometers of metro lines — now the third largest metro network globally.
The Prime Minister also drew attention to India’s achievements in expanding its railway electrification, airport infrastructure, and national waterways, noting a doubling of electrified rail routes and an increase in airports from 74 to over 160. The number of operational national waterways has grown from 3 to 30, providing enhanced multimodal transport options.
On social infrastructure, PM Modi highlighted the expansion of health and education facilities, with the number of AIIMS institutions growing from 7 to 22 and medical colleges from 387 to 704, adding over 100,000 new medical seats, greatly benefiting the middle class and aspiring youth. The number of IITs and IIITs has also significantly increased, broadening access to higher education.
He further noted the government’s push to improve quality of life by constructing over 40 million pucca houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and building over 120 million toilets, enhancing dignity, hygiene, and safety, particularly for women across the country.
Digital transformation was another key focus, with PM Modi citing India’s leadership in digital payments via UPI, which handles over 50 percent of the world’s real-time transactions. More than 2,200 government services are now available on mobile platforms, and initiatives like the UMANG app and DigiLocker have simplified citizens’ access to government services and documents. India is also investing in emerging technologies such as AI-powered threat detection and aiming for global leadership in AI and space technology, including the development of a Made-in-India chip.
Calling for stronger emphasis on technological self-reliance, the Prime Minister urged Karnataka and Bengaluru’s tech industry to prioritize the development of high-quality, zero-defect, zero-impact products that maintain environmental standards. He emphasized that innovation and manufacturing must go hand-in-hand to sustain India’s growth story.
In governance, PM Modi praised ongoing reforms, such as the decriminalization of certain laws and the introduction of competency-based training programs for government employees under Mission Karmayogi. He encouraged state governments to identify and remove outdated criminal provisions and adopt new learning frameworks to enhance administrative efficiency.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that Karnataka, through collaborative efforts between the central and state governments and active citizen participation, would reach new heights of development and contribute significantly to the vision of a developed India.
UNI
