Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Western Peripheral Expressway project. The project is aimed at cutting down the extra traffic in Delhi. <p></p> <p>The six-lane expressway passes through five districts in Haryana, Sonipat, Jhajjar, Gurugram, Mewat and Palwal, and will be connecting to four major highways, namely Delhi-Ambala-Amritsar, Delhi-Agra-Varanasi-Dankuni, Delhi-Jaipur-Ahmedabad-Mumbai and the Delhi-Hisar-Fazilka-India-Pakistan border.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">'</span>The Western Peripheral Expressway will help the economy, environment, ease of travelling and ease of living,' reportedly addressed the prime minister at the inauguration. Commenting on the integrated corridors, as reported, he also assured that the Centre is working on roads, railways, highways and water connectivity in a way that these will support each other.</p> <p>The expressway will provide an alternative route to vehicles, especially heavy vehicles to go towards Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan through the national capital. 'The Kundli-Manesar-Palway Expressway project covering five districts will not only reduce traffic congestion in northern Haryana but also in the NCR. This quick link to Ghaziabad, Noida of Uttar Pradesh, and to Gurugram, Faridabad and Palwal districts of southern Haryana will escalate the realty market of Delhi and Haryana as well, thus being another catalyst to the affordable housing segment,' said <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pradeep Aggarwal, Co-founder and Chairman, Signature Global, and Chairman, National Council on Affordable Housing, ASSOCHAM.</span></p> <p>The KMP Expressway assures a boost in not only the real estate market of the region with connectivity but there would also be industrial and economic development in the area adjoining the Expressway. 'Not just this, Haryana would also lead in education and IT sector,' <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kushagr Ansal, President, CREDAI Haryana and Director, Ansal Housing,</span> added.</p> <p>In April 2016, the 53-km-long Palwal-Manesar section was inaugurated, while the original completion deadline for the 135 km KMP Expressway was July 2009. The project got continuously extended due to controversies and litigation. However, Rs 64 billion has been spent on the project and 3,846 acre was acquired at Rs 27.88 billion. The Kundli to Manesar stretch is over 83 km and will have 14 major or minor bridges, 56 underpass or agricultural vehicular underpasses, seven intersections and seven toll plazas. Besides, an ambulance, a crane and a police patrol vehicle will be stationed at a distance of every 20 km for the travellers. </p> <p>The initial cost of the project was Rs 19.15 billion. Besides, the Haryana Government has announced plans to develop five new cities over an area of 50,000 hectare on each side of the KMP Expressway.</p>