New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday performed the Bhoomi Poojan of Ahmedabad Metro Project Phase 2 and Surat Metro project.

He said that the Ahmedabad project worth Rs 17,000 crore is taking shape which shows that even during the Covid pandemic the country is working hard to give pace to the infrastructure development.

After the Bhoomi Pujan, Modi said, "Today, infrastructure projects worth Rs 17,000 crore are going to start, which shows that the country is serious about taking the infrastructure development project even during the Covid pandemic."

He said that before 2014, 225 km of metro lines became functional in 10 to 12 years while in the last six years more than 450 km of metro lines are operational.

He further said that after Ahmedabad, Surat is one of the biggest cities in Gujarat which will be connected with modern transport facilities.

"In Surat, the metro project will connect the important business centres with each other," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said that today we are developing an integrated system of transportation in cities.

This means bus, metro, the train will no longer run according to it but as collective management to complement each other, he said.

He said that on the basis of population, Surat is the eighth-most populated city out of 10 in the country and the fourth developed city in the world.

He said, out of every 10 diamonds in the country, nine are carved and finished in Surat.

The Prime Minister highlighted that besides cities, villages in Gujarat have also witnessed unprecedented development. "Especially the roads, electricity and the supply of the water have improved in the last two decades. These are a very important chapter in the history of Gujarat," he said.

Modi also pointed out that many of us seen the time when the water was supplied in the villages through tankers and trains.

"Now 80 percent of the population in the state is getting water supply from the pipeline," he said.

Modi said that under the Jal Jeevan Mission, 10 lakh new water connections have been distributed. "And very soon, every household in Gujarat will be getting water supply through the pipeline," he said.