- PM Modi inaugurates ₹11,000-crore highway projects in Delhi—Dwarka Expressway and UER-II.
- Says Delhi must be a “model of growth” reflecting India’s confidence.
- Highlights GST reforms to be rolled out this Diwali, promising relief for citizens.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 17th Aug: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated two major National Highway projects worth nearly ₹11,000 crore in Delhi, calling the developments a symbol of India’s growth and confidence. The projects—the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway and the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II)—are expected to significantly reduce congestion, improve connectivity, and ease travel across the National Capital Region (NCR).
Addressing a gathering at Rohini, the Prime Minister linked the occasion to the festive spirit of Janmashtami, noting the coincidence of inaugurating the Dwarka Expressway in the land of Dwarkadhish. “Delhi is emerging as a capital that bridges India’s glorious past with its promising future,” he said, highlighting recent infrastructure milestones including the new Parliament building, Kartavya Bhavan, Bharat Mandapam, and Yashobhoomi.
Delhi as a Model of Growth
The Prime Minister said that the aim is to make Delhi a “model of growth” reflecting the spirit of a developing India. “The constant endeavour is to ease people’s lives, a goal that guides every policy and every decision,” he stated. Modi underscored that in the past 11 years, Delhi-NCR has seen “unprecedented improvement” in connectivity, with wide expressways, expanded metro networks, and the upcoming Noida International Airport.
He noted that UER-II also helps address Delhi’s waste crisis by using millions of tonnes of landfill material for road construction. Acknowledging Delhi residents living near garbage mounds, he said the government is committed to freeing them from such challenges.
Green Delhi–Clean Delhi Push
The Prime Minister praised Delhi’s efforts under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to clean the Yamuna, citing the removal of 16 lakh metric tonnes of silt. He further informed that 650 electric buses have already been launched in the city and the fleet is expected to cross 2,000 soon, strengthening the “Green Delhi–Clean Delhi” initiative.
GST Reforms and Self-Reliance
Modi announced that next-generation GST reforms would be rolled out around Diwali, promising a “double bonus” for citizens by simplifying tax structures and reducing rates. “For us, reform means the expansion of good governance,” he said, stressing that reforms will directly benefit the poor, middle class, and entrepreneurs.
Drawing inspiration from both “Chakradhari Mohan” (Lord Krishna) and “Charkhadhari Mohan” (Mahatma Gandhi), Modi urged citizens to embrace self-reliance. “Let us be Vocal for Local, let us trust and buy products made in India,” he said, citing examples of Khadi, mobile phones, toys, and UPI that have transformed India’s markets.
Background of Projects
- Dwarka Expressway (Delhi section): 10.1 km stretch built at a cost of ₹5,360 crore, connecting Shiv Murti intersection to Delhi-Haryana border with multi-modal links to Yashobhoomi, DMRC Blue and Orange lines, Bijwasan railway station, and Dwarka bus depot.
- UER-II: Alipur to Dichaon Kalan stretch with new links to Bahadurgarh and Sonipat, built at a cost of ₹5,580 crore. It will ease congestion on Delhi’s Inner/Outer Ring Roads, Mukarba Chowk, Dhaula Kuan, and NH-09.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, and several Union Ministers of State were present at the event.
