PM Modi Unveils Mega Rs 1 Lakh Crore National Highway Projects to Boost Connectivity Across India
PM Modi Unveils Mega Rs 1 Lakh Crore National Highway Projects to Boost Connectivity Across India
On March 11, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 112 National Highway projects across India, valued at approximately Rs. One lakh crore, in Gurugram, Haryana. This nationwide event, which saw lakhs of citizens participating through technology, marked a significant push towards enhancing the country’s infrastructure.
Highlighting a shift from the tradition of hosting significant programs in Delhi, Modi emphasized the importance of modern connectivity for the nation. He expressed his pleasure in dedicating the Haryana section of the Dwarka Expressway to the public, stating that it would forever transform travel between Delhi and Haryana, enhancing not only vehicular movement but also the lives of the local populace.
Within the first three months of 2024, projects exceeding Rs 10 lakh crore have been initiated or completed, demonstrating a remarkable pace of development. These include various projects spread throughout India: from Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh in the south; Uttar Pradesh and Haryana in the north; West Bengal and Bihar in the east; to Maharashtra, Punjab, and Rajasthan in the west. Notable among today's projects are the expansion of the Amritsar Bhatinda Jamnagar Corridor by 540 kilometers and the development of the Bengaluru Ring Road.
Modi reflected on the transformation of infrastructural development from "problems to possibilities," highlighting his administration's ability to turn challenges into opportunities. The Dwarka Expressway stands as a testament to this philosophy, transforming a once-avoided area into a bustling economic zone. This expressway, besides facilitating smoother traffic flow, also connects to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, bolstering the National Capital Region's (NCR) connectivity.
The Prime Minister lauded the Haryana government and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar for their commitment to timely infrastructure projects, vital for the development of both Haryana and India. He reiterated his government's vision for an expansive infrastructure network within the Delhi-NCR, including the Peripheral Expressways and the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, aimed at reducing traffic congestion and pollution.
Modi linked infrastructure development directly to poverty alleviation, noting how enhanced connectivity opens new opportunities for rural areas. Over the past decade, such initiatives have lifted 25 crore Indians out of poverty, positioning India as the 5th largest global economy. He projected that the ongoing rapid infrastructure development would elevate India to the third largest economic power globally.
Highlighting the government's track record of completing long-pending projects, Modi assured that every initiated project, regardless of electoral considerations, would be completed timely. This commitment has seen the realization of projects like the Eastern Peripheral Expressway and significant advancements in digital infrastructure, rural roads, and airports in smaller cities.
The Prime Minister contrasted the previous delays with the current era of delivery and development, emphasizing the creation of a 9,000 KM high-speed corridor and the expansion of metro services from 5 cities in 2014 to 21 cities now. Asserting that these developments are the result of "right intentions," Modi envisioned an exponential growth in development over the next five years.
The event was graced by Haryana's Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, Chief Minister Manohar Lal, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Rao Inderjit Singh, Krishan Pal, and Deputy Chief Minister Dushayant Chautala, among others.
The inaugurated projects include the 19 km Haryana section of the Dwarka Expressway, built at a cost of Rs. 4,100 crore, and other significant projects across the country aimed at improving traffic flow, reducing congestion, and fostering socio-economic growth. These comprehensive efforts underscore the government's dedication to bolstering India's infrastructure and economic landscape.