Meerut, Uttar Pardesh, Dec 31: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday laid foundation stone of 14-lane Melhi-Meerut Expressway in Uttar Pradesh. Inaugurating the making of the expressway, Modi said that it will pave way for a pollution-free future. Talking at the event Modi said that the expressway will bring changes in rural life of India by increasing connectivity between villages.
He said, “Today, people in villages want four lane and Pevar roads. The people in villages know that if they want to be connected with development, they have to connect their village with good roads.” He also remembered Meerut’s key role in the first war of Independence in 1857.
The ambitious infrastructure project will cost around Rs 7,600 crore and is estimated to be completed within three years. The road will connect Nizamuddin Bridge in Delhi to Dasna in Uttar Pradesh. Talking at the event, about the importance and benefits of the expressway, Modi said, “Many middle class and upper middle class families now plan weekend outings. A good road network around Delhi will be beneficial.”
He also spoke about the unfortunate Kedarnath tragedy which killed people and said that the government has worked towards ensuring pilgrims from across India and outside won’t face any difficulty in future. (Also Read: Narendra Modi to lay foundation stone of Delhi-Meerut Expressway; Akhilesh Yadav to skip ceremony)
Out of the 348.6 hectares of land required for expressway, 343.36 hectare has been acquired. Only after 90 per cent land acquisition, new alignment of the construction from Dasna to Meerut and six-laning of Connector will begin. Bids for the Delhi-Hapur section of NH-24 project on new hybrid annuity model were invited with bid due date as December 15.
The expressway will also have service roads, cycle tracks, flyovers, elevated sections, major and minor bridges. As per the government plan, railway overbridges, vehicular underpasses and pedestrian underpasses is also a part of the project.
Modi also spoke about the stalled recent Parliament functioning. Taking a dig at opposition, he said, “Sad that those who were rejected by the people have held the parliament to hostage and are not letting it function. I urge political parties that people of India have elected us to discuss, debate, deliberate in Parliament. It is our duty.”
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