NEW DELHI, Dec 13: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced on Friday that the Delhi-Dehradun expressway, expected to cut travel time between the two cities to just two hours, will be finished within the next three months.
At present, the journey between Delhi and Dehradun takes about five to six hours.
Speaking at the ‘Times Network India Economic Conclave 2024’, Gadkari added that the Delhi-Mumbai expressway is also slated for completion in the next two months, which will shorten the travel time between these metropolitan areas to 12 hours from the current 24.
The minister detailed that the Delhi-Dehradun highway project has two components and mentioned a significant development: a ₹10,000 crore project approved for the extension from Delhi’s Kalindi Kunj to Faridabad. According to Gadkari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate this project in the next 15 to 20 days.
He also emphasized the Modi government’s commitment to combating air pollution, reducing fossil fuel imports, and increasing farmers’ income.
“The transport ministry accounts for 40 percent of air pollution. While stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana contributes significantly, road construction and fossil fuels also exacerbate the challenge,” he noted.
The minister highlighted that the stubble burning issue is projected to be resolved within two years as the government is undertaking 400 initiatives aimed at converting 20 million tonnes of rice straw annually into alternative fuels.
Gadkari mentioned that his ministry is working on developing 36 green express highways, which will help lower logistics costs in the nation.
“Currently, India’s logistics costs are around 14-16 percent, compared to 8 percent in China and 12 percent in the US and the European Union. We aim to reduce this to 9 percent within the next two years,” he stated.
According to the minister, this reduction in logistics costs could lead to a 1.5-fold increase in India’s exports, enhancing the country’s competitiveness.
Regarding the rising incidence of road accidents, Gadkari shared alarming statistics, indicating that India ranks first globally in road accident fatalities, with 178,000 deaths from approximately 500,000 accidents annually. He attributed this to inadequate road infrastructure, weak law enforcement, and a lack of public awareness.
“Despite our efforts over the past decade, we have not managed to significantly lower road accidents in the country,” Gadkari acknowledged.
He asserted that the ministry’s recent efforts to address hazardous spots on national highways and improve bidding regulations for detailed project reports (DPRs) would contribute to reducing accident rates in India. (PTI)
