Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 14 Apr: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Uttarakhand to inaugurate the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor. On his entry into Dehradun at Asarodi from the Expressway tunnel, he was accorded a grand and historic welcome. This was his first road show as PM in Dehradun. The visit began with prayers at the revered Daat Kali temple, where he sought blessings for the prosperity of the nation and the State. At the temple, young girls recited the Mahishasuramardini Stotram, which the PM listened to with reverence, standing alongside them.
Following the temple rituals, Modi embarked on a 12-kilometre-long road show, the first of its kind in the capital city, stretching from the temple to the Garhi Cantonment ground. This road show was significant not only for its scale but also because it is being described as the longest ever undertaken by him. Thousands of people lined the route, with youth, women and the general public chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, creating an electrifying atmosphere. The enthusiasm was overwhelming as citizens eagerly awaited a glimpse of the Prime Minister, who responded warmly by greeting them with folded hands and waves. For the road show, major traffic diversions had to be enforced in Dehradun today, causing some inconvenience to the local commuters. However, the road diversions had been announced much in advance to minimise the inconvenience to the public.
During the visit, Modi also inspected the elevated corridor, stepping out of his vehicle to view the project from a designated vantage point. He highlighted the importance of the Rs 11,963 crores Delhi–Dehradun elevated expressway, which spans 213 kilometres, as a transformative step in connectivity and development. This was his 28th visit to Uttarakhand since becoming Prime Minister, underscoring his deep association with the State. He has previously visited Kedarnath five times, along with Badrinath and Mukhba, where last year he gave a message of winter pilgrimage by visiting the winter abode of Goddess Ganga.
The BJP in Uttarakhand claims that the grand road show and the inauguration of the corridor not only symbolised the significance of infrastructure development but also reflected the enduring bond between the people of Uttarakhand and the Prime Minister. It was a spectacle of devotion, unity and celebration, marking a milestone in the State’s journey towards accelerated growth and connectivity.
Earlier to his entry in Dehradun, Modi also held a road show from Ganeshpur in district Saharanpur till the Daat Kali temple. A huge crowd had gathered all along the way to accord him a grand welcome. He was accompanied by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and UP CM Yogi Adityanath on this occasion. Addressing a public gathering at Ganeshpur, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Saharanpur has witnessed transformative changes with the establishment of a university named after Maa Shakambhari and the completion of an airport at Sarsawa. He stressed that the model of good governance under the PM could be seen in the form of the economic corridor, which will also facilitate easier access to Lucknow through the Ganga Expressway. He pointed out that earlier, during the monsoon, landslides from the hills often blocked the route, forcing travellers to detour via Haridwar to reach Dehradun, but this problem has now been largely resolved.
The Chief Minister emphasised that Modi’s vision is the cornerstone of a developed India and under his leadership the country is preparing to meet future challenges. He noted that the ambitious Delhi–Dehradun Green Expressway project, which began in 2021, has been completed within five years, delivering a major gift to western Uttar Pradesh.
The PM later addressed a massive public gathering at Garhi Cantonment, where he expressed gratitude for the unprecedented welcome. He remarked that Devbhoomi Uttarakhand always provides him with special energy, and the affection and blessings of its people inspire him to work with greater dedication for the nation’s progress. He acknowledged the delay in reaching the venue, explaining that the vehicle was deliberately slowed to allow him to greet the people along the way, which resulted in an hour’s delay. He apologised to the audience for the inconvenience, while emphasising that the love of the people was worth every moment.
