Delhi Infrastructure Boost: Dwarka Expressway and Urban Extension Road-II Inaugurated to Ease NCR Congestion and Transform Connectivity

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated two marquee highway projects worth nearly Rs 11,000 crore in Delhi’s Rohini, marking what he described as a “development revolution” for the national capital and the wider NCR region. The projects — the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway and the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) — are expected to significantly ease traffic congestion, reduce travel time, and boost connectivity for millions of commuters across Delhi, Gurugram, Haryana, and beyond.

Image Source: PM NaMo 

Standing on the dais against the backdrop of Janmashtami festivities, Modi invoked the symbolism of the occasion. “The name of the expressway is Dwarka, the programme is being held at Rohini, and I come from the land of Dwarkadhish,” he said, adding that the atmosphere felt “deeply Krishna-filled.”

He underlined that August is a month of both freedom and revolution, and in that spirit, Delhi too was experiencing a transformative moment. “Amid the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the national capital today is witnessing a development revolution,” Modi said.

Projects That Transform NCR Mobility

The 10.1 km Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway, built at a cost of Rs 5,360 crore, is designed as a state-of-the-art corridor with multi-modal integration — linking Yashobhoomi convention centre, DMRC’s Blue and Orange Metro lines, the upcoming Bijwasan railway station, and the Dwarka cluster bus depot. The Haryana section of the expressway was inaugurated in March 2024.

The Alipur to Dichaon Kalan stretch of UER-II, costing Rs 5,580 crore, adds new links to Bahadurgarh and Sonipat, providing much-needed alternatives to Delhi’s overburdened Inner and Outer Ring Roads and junctions such as Mukarba Chowk and Dhaula Kuan. It is expected to sharply improve goods movement, industrial linkages, and daily commuting across the NCR.

A unique feature of UER-II, the Prime Minister said, was its contribution to cleaning Delhi’s environment. Millions of tonnes of waste, including material from the notorious Bhalswa landfill, have been repurposed for road construction. “Our government is actively working to free Delhi residents from garbage mounds. By using waste in building roads, we are reducing those mountains and turning problems into opportunities,” Modi said.

Delhi as the Face of a Rising India

The Prime Minister tied the new infrastructure push to his broader narrative of India’s transformation over the last 11 years. Recalling his Independence Day speech at the Red Fort just two days earlier, Modi said, “When the world looks at India, its first glance falls on Delhi. We must make Delhi the model of a confident, developing India.”

He pointed to rapid improvements in the capital’s connectivity -- from modern expressways to the expansion of the Delhi Metro, and now the Namo Bharat rapid rail. “Commuting in Delhi-NCR today is far easier than a decade ago,” he said, contrasting it with the delays and neglect of past governments.

आज प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी ने दिल्ली वासियों को दो प्रमुख राजमार्गों का तोहफा दिया। द्वारका एक्सप्रेसवे के दिल्ली खंड और अर्बन एक्सटेंशन रोड-II की ₹11,000 करोड़ की परियोजनाओं से दिल्ली का ट्रैफिक सुगम होगा, कनेक्टिविटी बेहतर होगी और उद्योग-व्यापार को भी गति मिलेगी।… pic.twitter.com/nRWLjBlK5Q

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 17, 2025

Modi also linked the projects to his government’s “Green Delhi–Clean Delhi” agenda, noting the recent launch of 650 electric buses, with the fleet expected to surpass 2,000 soon, and ongoing efforts to clean the Yamuna River, where 16 lakh metric tonnes of silt have already been removed.

Critique of Past, Promise for the Future

The Prime Minister did not spare previous governments, accusing them of “indifference” to infrastructure and of subjecting even sanitation workers to “regressive, unjust laws.” He recalled provisions in the old Delhi Municipal Corporation Act that allowed for jail terms if sanitation workers skipped work without notice. “Those who now speak of social justice maintained such laws. It is Modi who is digging them out and abolishing them,” he said, stressing that hundreds of outdated laws had already been repealed.

Highlighting his government’s record, Modi said the national infrastructure budget has increased six-fold in 11 years, with a strong emphasis on timely completion. The Dwarka Expressway, he said, exemplified how long-pending projects became realities only under the current administration.

Modi also announced upcoming GST reforms, promising a “double Diwali bonus” for citizens through further simplification and revised rates. “Every family, from the poor to the middle class, every small and big entrepreneur, every trader will benefit from this,” he said.

Vocal for Local and Global Ambition

True to his “Vocal for Local” campaign, Modi urged citizens and shopkeepers to prioritise Made in India goods, particularly during the festive season. Drawing on cultural symbolism, he invoked both “Chakradhari Mohan” (Lord Krishna with the Sudarshan Chakra) and “Charkhadhari Mohan” (Mahatma Gandhi with the spinning wheel), arguing that India’s strength lies in combining its spiritual heritage with self-reliance.

“Khadi, once forgotten, has seen sales increase sevenfold in the past decade. Made in India phones now dominate our market — from importing phones, we are now exporting 30–35 crore units annually,” Modi said. He also hailed the global success of UPI digital payments, Vande Bharat trains, and Indian-made locomotives and coaches.

Platforms like PM Gati Shakti, he added, had revolutionised infrastructure planning, ensuring speed, transparency, and precision by integrating 1,600 layers of data. “From roads to airports to toy manufacturing, India is moving from dependence to dominance,” he said.

Delhi as a Bridge Between Past and Future

Concluding his address, Modi said Delhi was now emerging as a capital that bridges India’s glorious past with its ambitious future. He cited the new Parliament building, the Kartavya Bhavan Secretariat, and conference hubs like Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi as examples of the city’s growing stature.

“With these initiatives, Delhi will rise as one of the finest capitals in the world,” the Prime Minister declared, congratulating residents of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan for the transformative projects.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, and other dignitaries were present at the event.