New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday gave Delhi a historic infrastructure boost by inaugurating two major National Highway projects worth nearly ₹11,000 crore, while strongly urging citizens to adopt his call for “Vocal for Local.”
The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway and the Alipur–Dichaon Kalan stretch of Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II), projects that are expected to transform connectivity across the National Capital Region, ease pressure on existing city arteries and sharply cut travel time for commuters. Modi described the projects as a “historic gift” to the people of Delhi, underlining that development of this scale not only benefits citizens but also reflects the government’s commitment to expanding good governance.
The Dwarka Expressway, a 10.1-km stretch built at a cost of over ₹5,300 crore, will provide seamless connectivity to the Yashobhoomi convention centre, Delhi Metro’s Blue and Orange lines, the upcoming Bijwasan railway station and the Dwarka cluster bus depot. With state-of-the-art infrastructure including a tunnel, elevated sections and a four-level interchange, the expressway is designed to bypass bottlenecks on NH-48 and provide faster links between Delhi and Gurugram.
The Urban Extension Road-II, constructed at an estimated cost of ₹5,580 crore, is being developed as the capital’s third ring road. Connecting Alipur in north Delhi to Mahipalpur near the airport, the road passes through Rohini, Mundka, Najafgarh and Dwarka, with links extending towards Bahadurgarh and Sonipat. Once fully operational, it will take pressure off Delhi’s Inner and Outer Ring Roads and ease congestion at choke points such as Mukarba Chowk, Dhaula Kuan and NH-9.
Addressing a large gathering, Modi said the projects would bring immense relief to commuters, reduce travel time, lower pollution and accelerate economic growth by spurring real estate, commercial and logistics activity in surrounding regions. “For us, reform means expansion of good governance,” he said, adding that the next generation of GST reforms would make lives easier and double economic benefits nationwide. The Prime Minister also interacted with workers involved in the construction and later led a roadshow near the Mundka-Bakkarwala toll plaza, thanking them for their contribution to nation-building.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who attended the inauguration, expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of the capital. She said the Prime Minister’s vision and untiring efforts were “reshaping Delhi’s future and uplifting people’s lives.”
The twin projects, together valued at nearly ₹11,000 crore, are seen as a major step in preparing Delhi-NCR for the future, strengthening multi-modal transport integration and laying the foundation for cleaner, faster and more efficient mobility. With this launch, Modi once again linked infrastructure development to his larger economic vision, urging Indians to strengthen domestic industry and production by embracing “Vocal for Local.”
