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Modi lists steps taken to solve problems of Delhi-NCR

Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the main tunnel and five underpasses of the Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor Project, the Prime Minister called the project a big gift from the Central government to the people of Delhi.

Modi lists steps taken to solve problems of Delhi-NCR

(Photo: File photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, said the Union government has taken unprecedented steps to solve the problems of Delhi-NCR in the last eight years.

Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the main tunnel and five underpasses of the Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor Project here, the Prime Minister said, “In the last 8 years, we have taken unprecedented steps to solve the problems of Delhi-NCR. In the last 8 years, the metro service in Delhi-NCR has expanded from 193 km to 400 km, more than double.”

He asked people to develop a habit of using the metro and other public transport. Similarly, the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressway, and Delhi-Meerut expressway have helped the citizens of Delhi a great deal, the Prime Minister said.

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Referring to his conversations with the citizens and other stakeholders at the Kashi Railway Station, the Prime Minister said there is a great change in the mindset of the common man and the government is making all efforts to keep working according to that change.

He pointed out that Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, Delhi-Amritsar Expressway, Delhi-Chandigarh Expressway, and Delhi-Jaipur Expressway are making Delhi one of the best-connected capitals of the world. He also talked of the Delhi-Meerut Rapid rail system made by indigenous technology as part of the measures that are cementing Delhi’s identity as capital of India and will benefit the professionals, common people, students, youth,  school and office going commuters, taxi-auto drivers and the business community.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister called the project a big gift from the Central government to the people of Delhi. He recalled the enormity of the challenge in completing the project due to the traffic congestion and the pandemic. He credited the new work culture of New India and workers and engineers for completing the project.

“This is a New India that solves the problems, takes new pledges and works tirelessly to realise those pledges,” the Prime Minister said.

Modi said this tunnel is part of the campaign to transform Pragti Maidan according to the needs of the 21st century. He lamented the fact that despite changing India, Pragti Maidan which was created to showcase India got lagged behind due to a lack of initiative and politics.

“Unfortunately, there was not much ‘Pragati’ (progress) of the Pragati Maidan. Despite a lot of fanfare and publicity earlier, this was not done. The Government of India is working continuously for state-of-the-art facilities, and exhibition halls for world-class events in the capital of the country by talking about such establishments like the International Convention and Expo Centre in Dwarka and the redevelopment project in Pragati Maidan,” he said.

The prime minister noted that modern infrastructure developed by the Central government is changing the picture of Delhi and making it modern. This change in the picture is also a medium of changing destiny,” he said. This focus on modernisation of infrastructure is driven by increasing ease of living for the common people.

He also reiterated the need for environmentally sensitive and climate-conscious infrastructure development. The Prime Minister gave the example of the New Defence Office Complex at Africa Avenue and Kasturba Gandhi Road as an illustration of the attitude of dealing proactively with long-pending problems, environment-friendly construction, and care for those who are working for the country.

He expressed satisfaction over the progress in the Central Vista project saying that in the coming days the National Capital will be a topic of discussion globally and a matter of pride for Indians.

The Prime Minister talked about the benefits that will accrue from the integrated corridor in terms of saving of time and fuel, 55 lakh litre as per one estimate, and also decongestion of traffic leading to environmental dividend, equivalent to planting five lakh trees. He said these permanent solutions to enhance ease of living are the need of the hour.

The Prime Minister, who walked the tunnel leaving the vehicle, said the artwork in the tunnel has shown value addition beyond the planned work and is a great study centre of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat’. He said, perhaps this is among the longest art galleries anywhere in the world. He suggested on Sundays, the tunnel should be kept exclusively for school children and pedestrians for a few hours who could appreciate the artwork and the spirit that it embodies.

The Integrated Transit Corridor project is an integral part of Pragati Maidan Redevelopment Project.

The Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor project has been built at a cost of more than Rs 920 crore, entirely funded by the Central Government. It is aimed to provide hassle-free and smooth access to the new world-class exhibition and convention centre being developed at Pragati Maidan, thereby facilitating easy participation of exhibitors and visitors in the programmes being held at Pragati Maidan.

The impact of the project, however, will be much beyond Pragati Maidan as it will ensure hassle-free vehicular movement, helping save time and cost of commuters in a big way. It is part of the overarching vision of the government to ensure ease of living for people through transforming urban infrastructure.

The main Tunnel connects Ring Road with India Gate via Purana Qila Road passing through Pragati Maidan. The six-lane divided tunnel has multiple purposes, including access to the huge basement parking of Pragati Maidan. A unique component of the Tunnel is that two cross tunnels below the main tunnel road have been constructed in order to facilitate movement of the traffic from either side of the parking lot. It is equipped with the latest global standard facilities for smooth movement of traffic such as smart fire management, modern ventilation and automated drainage, digitally controlled CCTV and Public Announcement system inside the Tunnel.

This long-awaited Tunnel will serve as an alternative route to Bhairon Marg, which is running much beyond its carrying capacity and is expected to take more than half of the traffic load of Bhairon Marg.

Along with the tunnel, there will be six underpasses – four on Mathura Road, one on Bhairon Marg, and one at the intersection of Ring Road and Bhairon Marg.

 

 

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