The Centre has said that the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is expected to be fully completed within the next two years, while announcing a series of new highway projects aimed at improving connectivity in Rajasthan's Kota region.
During a public programme in Mandana after inspecting the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve Tunnel, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said nearly 75-80 per cent of the INR 1.10 lakh crore expressway project has already been completed. He assured that the remaining construction work would be finished within the next two years.
The minister said the expressway still requires further improvement and assured that once completed, it would allow commuters to travel by road from Delhi to Nariman Point in Mumbai and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port in around 12 hours.
Speaking about the origin of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Gadkari said the concept emerged during one of his earlier visits to Kota when he realised that a direct road connection between Delhi and Kota was possible instead of the longer existing route. The expressway has since become one of India's largest highway infrastructure projects, designed to improve freight movement, reduce travel time and strengthen connectivity across several states.
The minister announced approval for the construction of a 10-kilometre four-lane Mukundara Bypass on the Kota-Jhalawar section of National Highway-52 at an estimated cost of INR 551 crore. He said construction is expected to begin within the next three months.
He also announced approval for a 21-kilometre four-lane greenfield spur connecting Kota to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway through Alantpura at an estimated cost of INR 1,000 crore. According to the minister, work on this project is also likely to commence within the next three months.
In another major announcement, Gadkari said the Centre is planning the INR 15,000 crore Atal Express Highway connecting Kota and Etawah along the Chambal River. He said the project, previously known as the Chambal Express Highway, has been renamed after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the proposed route passes through Gwalior.
The minister said the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Atal Express Highway is currently under preparation, and construction will begin after the planning process is completed.
He further said that the DPR for a road connecting Bhawani Mandi with the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway has already been initiated following requests from local public representatives, indicating that the Centre is working to improve regional connectivity beyond the main expressway corridor.
Highlighting the importance of highway infrastructure, Gadkari said better road networks help attract industries, logistics parks, educational institutions, medical colleges and agro-based industries, particularly in underdeveloped tribal districts located along the expressway route. He said improved infrastructure plays an important role in generating investment and employment opportunities.
Referring to the relationship between infrastructure and economic growth, the minister cited former United States President John F. Kennedy's observation that good roads contribute to a nation's prosperity. He said quality infrastructure encourages investment, creates jobs and supports long-term economic development.
The minister also said Rajasthan has witnessed considerable progress in infrastructure and irrigation under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and assured that the Central government would continue supporting highway development projects across the state.
Speaking about sustainable construction practices, Gadkari said nearly 80 lakh tonnes of municipal waste have been utilised in road construction across the country. He added that the government is promoting bio-bitumen produced from crop residue and noted that aviation fuel is also being produced from agricultural stubble, reflecting efforts to convert waste into useful resources through technology.
The event was attended by Lok Sabha Speaker and Kota-Bundi MP Om Birla and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. Before addressing the gathering, Gadkari inspected the progress of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.
The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, spanning around 1,350 kilometres, is one of India's flagship infrastructure projects. Once fully operational, it is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the national capital and Mumbai while improving freight movement, industrial connectivity and economic activity across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Source PTI