PM Modi launches 7500 cr-14-lane Delhi-Meerut expressway, will cut travel time to 40 mins

New Delhi: In a significant infrastructure boost for Uttar Pradesh ahead of the elections in the state scheduled for 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the construction of a 74-km long 14-lane Delhi-Dasna-Meerut expressway which will be built at a cost of Rs 7,566 crore.

The expressway will decongest the existing route connecting the two cities and will play a key role in tackling pollution in the region.

"This highway will show the path to tackle pollution," PM Modi said addressing a crowded gathering here today. The PM also laid the foundation stone for the upgradation of the 22-km-long Dasna-Hapur section of National Highway (NH) 24.

Modi said that people in the villages aspire for good roads, as they know “it is the key to development”. Modi also made special mention of the Golden Quadrilateral and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and said that “he initiated projects to bring about changes in rural life of India”.

Read Also: 10 things you need to know about the Delhi-Meerut Expressway

"Vajpayeeji had two projects - the Golden quadrilateral connecting four corners of the country and he started a programme to give connectivity to villages," he said.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that the expressway would do away with 31 traffic signals on the road and make it "signal free". It will also reduce travel time between Meerut and Delhi from two and a half hours to around 40 minutes.

Though it is not officially declared, but the event is also seen as the start of BJP's preparation for the upcoming Assembly polls in the state.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also targeted the Congress for not letting the Parliament transact business.

Accusing it of trying to destroy the temple of democracy with its tactics of disrupting its functioning, he said, "It is unfortunate in this country that our Parliament where laws are made, it is not being allowed to run. Those, who have enjoyed power for 50-60 years, they have no right to destroy Parliament, to stop functioning of Parliament."

"Those rejected by the people have Parliament to ransom. They don't let in function. We may not be allowed to speak in Lok Sabha but I want to say this in a Jan Sabha, that we have been sent to Parliament to debate and discuss and to decide after discussion. We should give priority to the work that we are expected to do,” he said.

He also suggested the Congress to take a New Year resolution that it will ‘not disrupt the Parliament's proceedings'.

"Especially to those who ruled for 50-60 years. They should know better what is the role of government and how it should function. It is their responsibility not to let their political compulsions come in the way of development of the country," he said.

“I urge all political parties that the people of India have elected us to discuss, debate, deliberate in Parliament. It is our duty. Let Parliament function and work for the benefit of poor,” he added.

Highlights:

* I urge political parties to take a resolution for 2016 that they will let Parliament function and work for the benefit of poor: PM Modi

* I urge all political parties that the people of India have elected us to discuss, debate, deliberate in Parliament. It is our duty: PM Modi

* Sad that those who were rejected by the people have held the Parliament to hostage and are not letting it function: PM Modi

* I am also a MP from from Uttar Pradesh. I appeal to the UP Chief Minister to scrap interviews in Group C and D: PM Modi

* We are abolishing interview process for class 3 & 4 employees. Now appointments will happen strictly on basis of merit: PM Modi

* This expressway will generate opportunities for weekend-tourism and create thousands of jobs: PM Modi

* Connecting a city with other cities in network of 100 kms by road takes development to higher levels: PM Modi

* Many middle class and upper middle class families now plan weekend outings.A good road network around Delhi will be beneficial: PM Modi

* We are not merely constructing a road, this is a highway to development: PM Modi

* This is the 'rajmarg' of development. The project will play a key role in the development of western UP: PM Modi

* This expressway will pave the way for a pollution-free future: PM Modi

* Atalji initiated projects to bring about changes in rural life of India by increasing connectivity between villages: PM Modi

* Vajpayeeji worked to connect India through Golden Quadrilateral Project. To connect rural India, he launched PM Gram Sadak Yojana: PM Modi

* The villagers know if they want development, they first need connectivity through good roads: PM Modi

* Meerut is especially remembered for its key role in the 1857 first war of Independence: PM Modi

* PM Modi speaks at foundation stone laying ceremony of Delhi-Meerut expressway project

* PM Modi lays foundation stone of 14-lane Delhi-Meerut Expressway

* We are working towards reducing pollution levels and resolving traffic problem in Delhi: Gadkari

* Delhi to Meerut travel time which is approx 2:30-3 hours will be reduced to 40-45 mins after construction of this expressway: Gadkari

* We are also working on a highway project which will reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun to about 3 hours: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari

* PM Modi reaches Noida Sector 62