Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched and inaugurated development projects worth over Rs 15,600 crore in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The projects cover metro and railway connectivity, energy security and infrastructure development. He also laid foundation stones and flagged off new services.

Addressing the gathering, Modi greeted people in Kannada and paid tribute to Goddess Annamma Tai and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda. He said the projects would strengthen Karnataka’s infrastructure and accelerate economic growth.

Highlighting the Bengaluru Metro’s new Pink Line, Modi said it would improve connectivity to IIM Bengaluru, educational institutions and major business and technology centres. The corridor will reduce travel time and expenses for lakhs of commuters. He also remembered former Union Minister Ananth Kumar and acknowledged his contribution to the region.

Modi said Bengaluru, which accounts for over one-third of India's IT exports, remains a major centre of innovation. He highlighted the expansion of Namma Metro from 17 km in 2014 to over 100 km today. Bengaluru has become the third urban region after Delhi-NCR and Mumbai Metropolitan Region to cross this milestone.

He also highlighted railway modernisation through Vande Bharat trains and Amrit Bharat stations. Karnataka has over 60 stations under the redevelopment initiative. Four Amrit stations and two doubling and electrification projects were also launched. The Prime Minister flagged off a new Vande Bharat train connecting Karnataka with Goa. It will provide semi-high-speed connectivity along the coastal route, including Mangaluru.

“The facilities that were earlier found in airports, efforts are now being made to provide those very facilities at railway stations to poor and middle-class families,” noted PM Modi.

On energy security, Modi said global tensions involving Iran and the Gulf region highlighted the need to strengthen domestic energy production. He credited efforts over the past decade to increase petrol, diesel and LPG production, expand crude oil storage and diversify energy sources.

Three energy projects in Karnataka will further strengthen supply. The Mangaluru LPG project will add 80,000 metric tonnes of storage capacity, while the Devangonthi Marketing Terminal will improve petrol, diesel and aviation fuel distribution. Bengaluru's compressed biogas plant will produce 13 tonnes of biogas daily, supporting waste management and reducing natural gas imports.

Modi also highlighted India's renewable energy capacity crossing 300 GW and the expansion of nuclear power. He said reliable electricity was essential for emerging sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, data centres and quantum computing.

Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, over 60 lakh households nationwide, including more than 40,000 in Karnataka, have installed rooftop solar systems with central assistance of around Rs 80,000 per household. He also highlighted PM-KUSUM, under which over eight lakh solar pumps support farmers in Karnataka.

“Meaning, the Annadatas of Karnataka are now also becoming Urjadatas,” he said.

Modi further highlighted tax relief measures, including income tax exemption on annual income up to Rs 12 lakh, TDS changes benefiting senior citizens and rental income earners, and GST reductions on everyday goods. He also noted the removal of GST on individual health and life insurance policies to make insurance more affordable.

Modi also travelled to Mysuru for a tree plantation programme at Bharat Vann and inaugurated the COSMOS-Mysuru Planetarium. He also attended the golden jubilee celebrations of Prashanti Kutiram, the residential headquarters of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (S-VYASA).