AUG 17: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today inaugurated two major national highway projects worth nearly ₹11,000 crore during a ceremony held at Rohini, Delhi. The projects — the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway and the Alipur–Dichaon Kalan stretch of Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) — are part of the Government’s broader plan to reduce traffic congestion and promote seamless connectivity across the National Capital Region.
Welcoming the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the month of August, filled with the spirit of freedom and revolution, has now provided Delhi with a development revolution. He remarked that the venue, “Rohini”, and the name of the expressway, “Dwarka”, together reflect the cultural significance of the festival of Janmashtami, adding that he himself comes from the land of Dwarkadhish, which deepens the emotional connect of the occasion.
Explaining the benefits of the newly inaugurated projects, the Prime Minister said that commuters travelling between Delhi, Gurugram, and the wider NCR will experience shorter travel time, easier access to workplaces and industries, and major improvement in logistics flow. He underlined that traders, entrepreneurs and farmers are all expected to benefit greatly from better connectivity.
Referring to his Independence Day address, the Prime Minister said that “today’s India is defined by its aspirations and self-confidence”, and noted that the development of Delhi must reflect this spirit. He emphasised that good governance, ease of living and citizen-centric policies remain the core philosophy of his government. “For us, reform means expansion of good governance,” he said.
Shri Modi noted that Delhi-NCR has seen unprecedented improvements in connectivity in the last 11 years, including wide expressways, metro networks, and NaMo Bharat rapid rail. He also highlighted the use of waste material in the construction of UER-II, which has helped reduce the Bhalswa landfill mound and further reinforce the government’s Clean Delhi–Green Delhi agenda.
The Prime Minister announced that next-generation GST reforms will be rolled out soon, providing a “double benefit” to common citizens and businesses during the upcoming festive season. Stressing self-reliance, he urged citizens to adopt the “Vocal for Local” mantra, drawing inspiration from both Chakradhari Mohan (Lord Krishna) and Charkhadhari Mohan (Mahatma Gandhi).
He concluded by saying that Delhi is emerging as a bridge between India’s glorious past and its promising future, citing modern landmarks such as Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi, and Kartavya Bhavan as symbols of a confident and developing India.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Lt. Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, and other senior leaders were present at the event.
