PM Modi inaugurates first phase of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Dausa, says 'infra attracts more investment'

The 246 km stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway first phase is developed at a cost of over Rs 12,150 crore. The expressway is the longest highway in the country and the first in Asia and the second in the world, with an overpass facility for safeguarding wildlife.

Dausa (Rajasthan):Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 246 km Delhi-Dausa-Lalsot section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway at Rajasthan's Dausa on Sunday. Addressing a public meeting in Dhanawada village after the inauguration, PM Modi said that Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is a magnificent picture of developing India.

Emphasizing the importance of infrastructure, Modi said studies show investment on infrastructure brings in further investments, and therefore infrastructure is an essential aspect of a nation's economy and progress. "In the past 9 years, the centre has done a lot for the infrastructure. We have allotted around Rs 50,000 crore to Rajasthan's infrastructure so far. Even in this year's budget, Rs 10 lakh crore have been allotted for infrastructural development," PM Modi said.

"The project will be advantageous to all strata of the society. It will benefit everyone -- from working professionals, common people, industrialists, as well as labourers and farmers. It will save the country crores of rupees. The working population of the country will save a lot of time because of this Expressway," the Prime Minister said.

Giving an example, PM Modi said those who travel to Delhi for work can now come back to home in the evening after finishing their task. Rural 'haats' are being developed around the expressway where the local artisans can sell their products, he added. "The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor are going to become two strong pillars of progress for Rajasthan and the country," PM Modi reassured.

Drawing the project's parallel with 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas', Modi said, "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas is our mantra for nation, we are making 'Samarth Bharat' while following it." Further laying down a detailed picture how several states other than Rajasthan can avail the facility of the Expressway, he said, the expressway will benefit the Sariska National Park, Keoladeo National Park, Ranthambore National Park as well as cities such as Jaipur and Ajmer. Rajasthan is already known for its tourism sector and the attraction will increase further with the new infrastructure project, he added.

Speaking later at another mega rally in Dausa, the PM said BJP is making Rajasthan the strongest pillar of developed India. "Small farmers in drought-prone areas of Rajasthan will benefit from government's efforts to promote millets. We have also given priority to the underprivileged. Our government has given constitutional status to the OBC Commission so that the OBC class gets constitutional protection," PM Modi said.

Taking a dig at the opposition party Congress, the PM said, "For decades, some people said Rajasthan was a 'beemaru' state. But BJP is making Rajasthan one the strongest states in the country. What Congress did with Rajasthan is not hidden from the state. What happened during the Budget session in the state Assembly is being discussed everywhere today. I agree anyone can commit a mistake, but Congress has no vision or weight left with it today," Modi said.

PM Modi reached Dausa by army helicopter at 2:45 pm on Sunday. The PM pressed the button of a remote to mark the opening of the Delhi-Dausa-Lalsot section. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Union MoS V K 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. While Gehlot joined the programme from the chief minister's residence in Jaipur.

Delhi Mumbai Expressway will be India's longest expressway with a length of 1,386 km. It will reduce the travel time from Delhi to Mumbai by 50 per cent from 24 hours to 12 hours. The expressway passes through six states, namely Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra, connecting major cities such as Kota, Indore, Jaipur, Bhopal, Vadodara and Surat.

The country's first green corridor E-way will act as an economic boost to the entire region, the PMO added. The 246-km Delhi-Dausa-Lalsot stretch will be operational from Sunday itself.