Shamli (Uttar Pradesh), April 14 (IANS) Ahead of the inauguration of the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday visited and inspected the first ‘Rest-Hold Area’ developed along the route in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district.

Officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) received the minister during his visit and briefed him on the facilities at the rest stop.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor later in the day. Prior to the inauguration, he will visit Uttar Pradesh to review a wildlife corridor built along the elevated stretch of the project and will also travel to Uttarakhand to offer prayers at a Kali temple.

Residents of Shamli expressed optimism about the project, saying it would boost local employment and significantly improve connectivity.

Anil Pundhir, a local resident, told IANS, “Union Minister Nitin Gadkari visited the ‘Rest-Hold Area.’ He stayed there for a short while and interacted with the people. The economic corridor would generate employment opportunities for a large number of people. It would also significantly reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun.”

There was visible enthusiasm among locals ahead of the corridor’s inauguration, with many praising the government for the initiative.

Another resident said, “This will greatly benefit our region. It is a matter of joy that we will now be able to reach Dehradun from Delhi in just a few hours.”

He added that the project would ease travel between Delhi and Dehradun while also benefiting nearby towns and rural areas, noting that people in the region are looking forward to the development.

Another local, Satish Chauhan, said, “Thanks to this route, neither Delhi nor Dehradun remains a distant destination for the locals anymore. They will now be able to reach their destinations with great ease. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari just met with the people gathered near the ‘Rest-Hold Area.’ We were all very pleased to meet him.”

As part of his schedule, the Prime Minister will review the wildlife corridor constructed on the elevated section of the expressway in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He will then visit the Jai Maa Dat Kali Temple to offer prayers and seek blessings.

The Prime Minister will subsequently inaugurate the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor at a public event in Dehradun, where he is also expected to address a gathering.

Once operational, the corridor is expected to significantly cut travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from nearly six hours to around two-and-a-half hours, providing a major boost to regional connectivity and economic activity.

–IANS

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