Jaipur: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, arrived in Rajasthan on Wednesday to inspect the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway and review safety measures along the corridor.
During his visit to the Pinan rest area in Alwar district, Gadkari held a review meeting with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials and directed them to strengthen patrolling and improve traffic management on the expressway.
The Union Minister instructed the NHAI and the police to increase patrolling to enhance road safety and ensure quicker emergency response.
He also ordered that trucks should not be allowed to park indiscriminately anywhere along the expressway, stressing the need for strict enforcement to prevent accidents.
Ahead of Gadkari’s inspection, NHAI officials and contractors reportedly carried out extensive repair and maintenance work along the stretch of the expressway scheduled for the Union Minister’s visit.
According to local reports, officials primarily focused on the Delhi-to-Kota carriageway, as Gadkari’s inspection was planned along that route.
Gadkari is scheduled to inspect the expressway stretch from Labana Interchange in Bundi district to the Dara Tunnel in Kota.
The Union Minister will be accompanied by the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma during the inspection.
The delegation is expected to reach the Dara Tunnel by around 5:30 p.m., followed by a public meeting at Gopalpura near the expressway at 6:30 p.m.
Speaking at the Pinan rest house, Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari said the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway has significantly reduced travel time between Delhi and Mumbai, boosting trade, tourism, and connectivity.
She added that the Union government has implemented several measures to improve safety on the expressway, including enhanced emergency response systems, CCTV surveillance, and speed monitoring devices.
She added that the inspection was aimed at ensuring there was no compromise in construction quality or road safety standards.
She also noted that the Union government remains sensitive to incidents such as vehicle fires and is working to strengthen safety mechanisms.
After reviewing the arrangements at the Pinan rest area, Gadkari departed for the next leg of his inspection.
A senior delegation of officials from the NHAI and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways accompanied Union Minister Gadkari and briefed him through a detailed presentation on the expressway’s progress, maintenance, and safety measures.
(IANS)
