New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated two major National Highway projects worth nearly Rs 11,000 crore at Rohini in Delhi on Saturday, linking the event with the festive spirit of Janmashtami. Speaking at the gathering, he noted the symbolism of the Dwarka Expressway being launched in Rohini and said the atmosphere was infused with the essence of Lord Krishna.
Highlighting that August carries the colours of freedom and revolution, Modi said that Delhi is witnessing a “development revolution” as part of the Azadi Ka Mahotsav. He said the new connectivity through the Dwarka Expressway and Urban Extension Road will benefit residents of Delhi, Gurugram and the wider NCR region. “Commuting to offices and factories will become easier, saving time for everyone,” he said, adding that traders, entrepreneurs and farmers would gain significantly.
Modi recalled his Independence Day address in which he spoke of India’s economy, self-reliance and confidence. He said, “today’s India is defined by its aspirations, dreams, and resolutions—elements that the entire world is now experiencing.” He added that the world looks to Delhi first when evaluating India’s progress and stressed that the capital must reflect the spirit of a confident, developing nation.
Over the past 11 years, Delhi-NCR has seen “unprecedented improvement” in connectivity, Modi said, citing the growth of wide expressways, the expansion of the metro network, and the Namo Bharat rapid rail. “In the past 11 years, commuting in Delhi-NCR has become significantly easier compared to earlier times,” he said.
Modi said the Urban Extension Road was built to high standards and had a special feature: the use of millions of tonnes of waste material from landfill sites. “By reducing the garbage mounds, the waste material has been repurposed for road construction,” he noted, pointing to the nearby Bhalswa landfill. He said the government is working to free residents from the challenges of such garbage mountains.
The Prime Minister also referred to efforts to clean the Yamuna, saying 16 lakh metric tonnes of silt have already been removed. He highlighted the rollout of 650 electric buses in Delhi, soon to cross 2,000, saying the initiative strengthens the “Green Delhi–Clean Delhi” mission.
Taking a swipe at past governments, Modi said that Delhi’s development was slowed down for years. He said the current alignment of governments across Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan represents a responsibility that will be met with development for the NCR. Referring to past attempts to stir division between Delhi and Haryana residents, he said, “Delhi and the entire NCR have now been freed from such negative politics.”
On governance, he remarked, “Good governance is the hallmark of our governments and in our administrations, the people are paramount.” He said transparency in recruitment had provided lakhs of jobs in Haryana and similar efforts were underway in Delhi with pucca housing, electricity, water and gas connections for slum residents.
Modi announced that next-generation GST reforms will soon be rolled out. “As part of this effort, a next-generation reform in GST is being planned. This Diwali, citizens will receive a double bonus through the GST reform,” he said, adding that the changes will simplify GST and revise tax rates for the benefit of households, entrepreneurs and traders.
Calling on citizens to embrace “Vocal for Local,” Modi drew inspiration from both Lord Krishna and Mahatma Gandhi. “To empower India, we must draw inspiration from Chakradhari Mohan, to make India self-reliant, we must follow the path of Charkhadhari Mohan,” he said. He urged people to buy Made in India products. “If you are Indian, buy what is made in India,” he appealed, asking shopkeepers to sell domestic goods with pride.
The Prime Minister noted the revival of Khadi, which has seen sales rise nearly sevenfold in the past decade, as well as India’s emergence as a hub for mobile phone manufacturing and UPI payments. He also spoke of the Gati Shakti platform, which now has 1,600 data layers and a dedicated university.
“Delhi is emerging as a capital that bridges India’s glorious past with its promising future,” Modi said, pointing to projects like Kartavya Bhavan, the new Parliament building, Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi. He expressed confidence that Delhi would rise as one of the finest capitals in the world.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini attended the event.
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The Dwarka Expressway’s 10.1 km Delhi section was built at a cost of Rs 5,360 crore and connects with the Urban Extension Road-II. Modi also inaugurated the Alipur to Dichaon Kalan stretch of UER-II along with links to Bahadurgarh and Sonipat, developed at a cost of Rs 5,580 crore. The projects are designed to decongest Delhi, cut travel time and ease goods movement in NCR.
BI Bureau
