Union Roads Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said that the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway will be completely completed within two years and announced expressway projects for Kota district.
Addressing a public gathering in Mandhana, Kota, after inspecting the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Mukundra Hills Sanctuary Tunnel, Gadkari said that 75-80 per cent of $The Rs 1.10 lakh crore expressway project has been completed and the remaining works are ensured to be completed within two years.
“The highway still needs improvement. I give you my word that in two years the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway will be completely completed, which will enable people to travel by car from Delhi to Nariman Point and Jawaharlal Nehru Port in about 12 hours,” the Road Transport and Highways Minister said.
Regarding the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway corridor, Gadkari said the idea came up during an earlier visit to Kota when he noticed that direct road connectivity between Delhi and Kota was possible instead of the current circuitous route.
The Minister announced approval for construction of 10 km Mukundara Bypass on Kota-Jhalawar section of National Highway 52 at an estimated cost. $551 Crores.
He added that construction will begin within the next three months.
Proposal to construct a 21 km long four-lane green road linking Kota to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway via Alantpura at a cost $Rs 1,000 crore has been approved, he said, adding that work on the project is expected to begin within three months.
Gadkari said the Center was planning to $The 15,000-crore Atal Express Expressway from Kota to Etawah, along the Chambal River.
He pointed out that the project, which was earlier known as Chambal Expressway, was renamed after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as it passed through Gwalior.
A detailed project report is under preparation, and construction will begin after the completion of the planning process.
The Minister further announced that the DRC to connect Bhawani Mandi with the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway has already begun, following requests from public representatives.
Describing highways as engines of economic transformation, Gadkari said improved infrastructure would bring industries, logistics parks, educational institutions, medical colleges and agro-industries to the backward tribal areas through which the highway passes.
Quoting former US President John F. Kennedy, he said: “American roads are not good because America is rich; America is rich because American roads are good.”
He pointed out that high-quality infrastructure creates investment and job opportunities and ultimately eliminates poverty.
He also lauded Rajasthan’s development under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, saying the state has moved beyond its earlier drought image towards improving irrigation and infrastructure.
He assured that the Center will continue to provide full support to the development of highways in Rajasthan.
The government has used nearly 80,000 tons of municipal waste in building roads and is promoting bio-bitumen made from crop residues, Gadkari said, adding that jet fuel is also produced from tree residues, showing how technology can turn waste into wealth.
Lok Sabha Speaker, Kota Bundi MP Om Birla and Prime Minister Bhajanlal Sharma were also present at the event.
Earlier, Gadkari inspected the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.
