Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited MIT World Peace University Kothrud campus on his visit to the city on 6th March 2022. The Prime Minister inaugurated the 12km stretch of the Pune Metro Rail project in the city. He also unveiled a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the premises of Pune Municipal Corporation, inaugurated the R K Laxman Art Gallery-Museum, and laid the foundation stones of several development projects. During his address to the people of Pune, he said – "Our great nation is celebrating #AazadiKaAmrutmahotsav this year, and Pune through its great leaders, warriors and visionaries has been iconic and instrumental in the development of India as a nation". The Prime Minister also said – "Education, R&D, IT are at forefront of Pune's contribution to the overall development and therefore providing modern amenities is need of the hour, which the GoI is set to provide, to help these sectors and people of Pune. The MahaMetro is a step in that direction". Modi asked students to make use of the “infinite opportunities” available to them in various sectors to contribute to the nation’s growth. “Start-up India, Stand-up India, Make in India, and Aatmanirbhar Bharat represents your aspirations. India is innovating, improving, and also influencing the whole world,” he added.