Arvind Kejriwal talks of PM Narendra Modi's stand on peripheral expressways

NEW DELHI: Showing a rare unanimity between the Centre and Delhi governments on a policy issue, CM Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday evening revealed how Prime Minister Narendra Modi had himself sought to expedite a project which will help address rising air pollution across the National Capital Region.

Speaking at a conference on air pollution organized by the Centre for Science and Environment, Kejriwal was detailing measures taken for addressing pollution which emanates from trucks passing through Delhi, but are destined towards locations outside the national capital.

In this context, he mentioned meeting with union transport minister Nitin Gadkari. “Good news is that I met Gadkariji a few days back…east and west peripheral (expressways) are being constructed outside Delhi. Two roads will completely bypass Delhi...,” he informed.

Adding further, the CM informed the direct interest shown by PM. “He (Gadkari) told me that the Prime Minister has given him a target that the East and West peripherals should be complete in 400 days. I hope by next year, if they are completed, then I think almost 50% truck traffic will travel from outside.

It is said that a large portion of pollution is on account of these trucks which enter Delhi...,” said Kejriwal.