India is focusing on development that balances nature, progress and culture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday as he inaugurated the 213-km Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, which will reduce travel time between the two cities from more than six hours to about two-and-a-half hours.
Modi said the corridor will save time, fuel and travel costs. It will create employment opportunities and boost tourism in cities like Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh and Mussoorie, and facilitate travel to pilgrimage sites in Char Dham, he added.
Officials said that the six-lane corridor, which passes through Uttar Pradesh, was built at a cost of over $12,000 Crores. The project includes 10 interchanges, three railway overpasses, four major bridges and 12 roadside facilities. It is equipped with advanced traffic management system to improve safety and travel efficiency.
When tourism grows, everyone benefits, Modi said. “Uttarakhand is emerging as a hub for winter tourism and winter sports. Year-round tourism is vital to the state’s economy,” Modi, who had earlier visited Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district to review the 12-km wildlife corridor in the highland section of the project, said. He said the wildlife corridor was built to ensure safe movement of animals like elephants through forest areas.
Modi, who visited the Jai Madhat Kali temple and offered prayers before a 12-km roadshow in Dehradun, said India’s development model is being recognized globally. “Infrastructure is being developed extensively in the country. Several corridors are being developed across India, which are new gateways to economic growth that promote trade and industrial development.”
He described roads, highways, waterways and airways as the country’s lucky lines. He added that the government is committed to strengthening it. Modi said that infrastructure spending on connectivity has increased significantly. “Until 2014, even $Not even 2 lakh crores were spent on connectivity, now the amount has gone up to 12 lakh crores, and 1.15 lakh crores are being spent in Uttarakhand. Modi said that the BJP governments at the Center and the state had ensured road connectivity to remote villages.
He described the economic corridor as another milestone for Uttarakhand. “This young country is developing rapidly and the project will accelerate its growth, especially from a tourism perspective.”
Modi paid tribute to Himrao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary and said the government’s policies and projects were in line with his vision. He referred to the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status in 2019 and taking steps against Maoism. Modi added that Uttarakhand has shown the way by implementing the Uniform Civil Code.
Modi pointed to the three-day special session of Parliament starting on Thursday to speed up the process of 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. “I have written an open letter to women in the country and invited them to be part of it. I hope they read every line. I appeal to all parties that 50% of the population should get their rights and there should be no delay in that.”
Modi said that women have a greater role in the development of the country. “We are doing our best to ensure that women have regular supplies of cooking gas despite the conflict in West Asia.”
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the economic corridor will boost development and tourism and reduce the distance between Delhi and Dehradun by about 22 km. He added that the project demonstrates the balance between economy, environment and ethics.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that Modi’s visit to the state for the 28th time since 2014 reflects his special affection. He thanked the Center for its support in developing the state.
