After Nizamuddin roadshow, PM Modi inaugurates Rs 11,000-crore Eastern Peripheral Expressway in Baghpat

Hours after opening the 9-km stretch of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rs 11,000-crore Eastern Peripheral Expressway in Baghpat today. 

After the inauguration, the PM also addressed a mega rally where he highlighted the infrastructure projects undertaken by the NDA government. 

"Infrastructure does not differentiate on the basis caste, creed, religion and economic status," Modi said. 

"Through 'Make in India' campaign manufacturing has received a boost, as a result, now there are 120 mobile phone manufacturing factories in India as compared to only 2, four years back," the Prime Minister said. 

The inauguration of the road came a fortnight after the Supreme Court on May 10 had directed the NHAI to throw open the Expressway for the public by May 31, asking why were they "waiting" for its inauguration by the Prime Minister. The apex court had said if the 135-km expressway is not inaugurated on or before May 31, it should be thrown open for public who were facing traffic congestion in Delhi.

The 135-km EPE has been built at a cost of Rs 11,000 crore in a record 500 days. The six-lane expressway has 406 structures of which 4 are major bridges, 46 minor bridges, 3 flyovers, 7 inter-changes, 221 underpasses and 8 road over bridges (ROBs). The amenities include retail fuel outlets, rest rooms, motels, restaurants, shops etc.

The Eastern and the Western Peripheral Expressways were planned in 2006 following the apex court's order to build a ring road outside the national capital for channelling the traffic not bound for Delhi. 

The Expressway has several unique features. It is India's first highway to be lit by solar power and has 8 solar power plants on with a capacity of 4000-kilo watt (4 MW).

Other green features of the EPE include rain water harvesting on every 500 metres on both sides. 

Replicas of 36 national monuments have been built along the highway. Some of the monuments' replicas pertain to Ashoka Lion, Ashoka Chakra, Konark Temple, Jalianwala Bagh, Gateway of India, Qutab Minar, Char Minar, Lal Quila, Kirti Stambh, India Gate, Hawa Mahal and Gujarat Carving.

The road will have auto challans for over-speeding, as cameras will capture speed of vehicles. The expressway has an iconic toll plaza at the entry point on Kundli side and has provisions of tolling only for the distance travelled.