PM Modi has inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 112 National Highway projects worth approximately Rs One lakh crore, spanning the country. Utilizing technology, the event connected millions of people from across India. During his address, the PM highlighted a shift in the tradition of hosting events primarily in Delhi to organizing significant programs in various regions of the country.
PM Modi remarked that the nation has taken a significant stride towards modern connectivity. Commending the dedication of the Haryana section of the Dwarka Expressway, PM Modi expressed optimism about its transformative impact on travel between Delhi and Haryana, stating that it will not only enhance commuting but also positively impact the lives of the region’s residents.
Highlighting the swift progress in project implementation, the PM noted that within the first three months of 2024, projects worth over Rs 10 lakh crore have either been inaugurated or had their foundation stones laid. The projects unveiled today, valued at over Rs one lakh crore, encompass development initiatives from Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh in the South; Uttar Pradesh and Haryana in the North; Bengal and Bihar in the East; and Maharashtra, Punjab, and Rajasthan in the West.
Noteworthy among today’s projects is the 540-kilometer extension of the Amritsar-Bhatinda-Jamnagar Corridor and the development of the Bengaluru Ring Road, as outlined by the Prime Minister. Narendra Modi stressed the transformative impact of infrastructure development, highlighting the shift from challenges to opportunities. He emphasized the importance of turning obstacles into avenues for growth, a key feature of his governance.
The Prime Minister used the example of the Dwarka Expressway to showcase his government’s commitment to converting hurdles into opportunities. He recalled how the area where the expressway now stands was once considered unsafe, with people avoiding it after sunset. However, today, it has become a hub for major corporations, contributing significantly to the rapid development of the National Capital Region (NCR).
PM Modi emphasized the strategic significance of the Dwarka Expressway, linking it to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. He stressed that such infrastructure projects improve connectivity, leading to increased economic activities and better integration of the NCR. Additionally, Prime Minister Modi praised the efforts of the Haryana government, especially Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, in ensuring the timely completion of infrastructure projects.
He applauded their commitment to modernizing the state’s infrastructure, which is vital for the development of both Haryana and India. The Prime Minister reiterated his government’s comprehensive vision for infrastructure development in the Delhi-NCR region. He highlighted the timely completion of major projects such as the Dwarka Expressway, Peripheral Expressways, and the Delhi-Meerut Expressway.
These projects, along with the expansion of metro lines and the construction of international airports, aim to reduce traffic congestion and pollution in the region. PM Modi emphasized that “21st Century India is India of big vision and big goals.” Prime Minister Modi underscored the connection between infrastructure advancement and poverty alleviation, highlighting the way improved roads and digital connectivity in rural regions are opening up new prospects for villagers.
He pointed out the emergence of fresh opportunities in rural India, driven by digital infrastructure and access to vital services like healthcare and education. “Efforts like these have aided in uplifting 25 crore Indians from poverty in the last decade, propelling India to become the world’s fifth-largest economy,” he added. He further stated, “The rapid progress in infrastructure development nationwide will position India as the third-largest economic powerhouse globally.”
PM Modi reiterated the government’s dedication to accelerating infrastructure growth across the country. He stressed that such endeavors not only bolster the nation’s economy but also generate numerous job opportunities, particularly for the youth. The Prime Minister highlighted several longstanding projects completed by the current administration, such as the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, and the Dwarka Expressway, which was stalled for two decades.
“Today, whatever projects our government initiates, we commit to completing them on time, regardless of elections,” he remarked. Projects like laying lakhs of kilometers of optic fibers in villages, constructing airports in small cities, and rural road development are all accomplished irrespective of the election cycle, he noted. The Prime Minister emphasized, “Previously, there were delays; now there is delivery.
Formerly, there was a pause; now there is progress.” He mentioned the focus on creating a 9,000-kilometer high-speed corridor, of which 4,000 kilometers have already been completed. The metro network has expanded to 21 cities from 5 cities in 2014. “This progress is driven by a development-oriented vision.
Such achievements are possible when intentions are pure. The pace of development will accelerate manifold in the next 5 years,” concluded the Prime Minister. Governor of Haryana Bandaru Dattatreya, Chief Minister Manohar Lal, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Rao Inderjit Singh, Krishan Pal, Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana Dushayant Chautala were among the dignitaries present at the event.
