NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of the ambitious, nearly 1,400-km long Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Rajasthan’s Dausa on February 12.
The 246-kilometre Delhi-DausaLalsot stretch of the expressway will cut down the travel time from Delhi to Jaipur from five hours to around three and a half hours. It is also expected to boost economic opportunities in the entire region.
“Studies show investment on infrastructure brings in further investments,” the PM said, addressing a public gathering in Dausa’s Dhanawar village, in eastern Rajasthan. He pressed the button of a remote to mark the inauguration. “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas is our mantra for nation, we are making ‘Samarth Bharat’ while following it,” the PM further said, adding that the expressway is “a magnificent picture of developing India”.
PM Modi said when the Government invests in highway projects, ports, railways, optical fibre, and opens medical colleges, it gives strength to traders, small shopkeepers and industries. The PM said those who travel to Delhi for work can now come back home in the evening after finishing their task, adding that rural ‘haats’ are being developed around the expressway where the local artisans can sell their article.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Union MoS VK Singh, Union minister Gajendra Singh, and other leaders were present on the stage at the function.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal khattar addressed the programme through a video link. The first leg of India’s longest expressway opened to the public right ahead of a hectic election year. The grand expressway promises to bring down travel time from the national capital to its financial hub, Mumbai, by half, to just 12 hours.
