Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated two major infrastructure projects in the national capital-the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway and the Urban Extension Road-II-and used the occasion to criticise the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for allegedly neglecting Delhi’s overall development.
Without naming AAP directly, Modi said the city has suffered due to poor planning and lack of vision from its ruling administration. He stressed that while Delhi’s residents have long struggled with traffic congestion, air pollution, and inadequate infrastructure, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre is determined to bridge the gaps. “The BJP will do everything possible to make Delhi prosperous,” he declared.
The projects inaugurated are expected to significantly ease commuting woes. The Dwarka Expressway, often referred to as India’s first elevated urban expressway, will improve connectivity between west Delhi and Gurugram, reducing travel time and easing traffic on the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway. The Urban Extension Road-II will provide a new bypass route for vehicles, linking north and northwest Delhi with major highways and cutting travel time to the airport and neighbouring states.
Officials said the projects would not only benefit commuters but also give a boost to economic activity by improving logistics and reducing vehicular congestion within the capital. Urban planners believe these roads could play a key role in easing pressure on Delhi’s overburdened transport network.
The remarks by the Prime Minister also reflect the political undercurrent in the capital, where AAP governs the state while BJP holds power at the Centre. With Delhi often witnessing a tussle between the two, Modi’s veiled attack signals that the BJP intends to highlight development and infrastructure as its main plank against AAP in the coming years.