Pune: Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, on its completion, will relieve the current traffic load on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday after reviewing various road projects in Pune and western Maharashtra. He also reiterated that motorists would have to pay road tax if they need "good services".

The Delhi Mumbai Expressway is a proposed 1,250-km long controlled-access highway connecting the national capital with the commercial capital of the country.

Gadkari said the major reason behind heavy traffic on the Pune-Mumbai expressway is that vehicles coming from northern states pass through this highway to travel further towards southern states.

Gadkari said once the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway reaches Surat in Gujarat, the south-bound traffic can be diverted using a new alignment i,e Surat - Nashik - Ahmednagar- Solapur. This will ease the traffic load on Pune-Mumbai Expressway and other highways, and also bring down vehicular pollution, he said.

"Since the project is close to my heart, I think that beautification of the route should be done with the help of putting the couplets from ''abhangs'' and songs devoted to Lord Vitthal along this route," he said. He said devotees can also suggest some ideas which can be implemented for beautifying the palkhi road.

After inspecting the work of the multi-level flyover project at Chandni Chowk, Gadkari said, "I was told that the deadline to complete this project is 2023, but looking at the hardships and inconvenience caused to the public due to the ongoing work, it is not feasible to wait till 2023".

Gadkari pointed out various aspects. When asked about the people's reluctance to pay the toll in cases where road works are pending completion, Gadkari said the road tax has to be paid if people want good services.

Rahul Gandhi driving tractor in Ajmer, Watch video

Home Minister Amit Shah targets opposition over Nepotism in J&K

Punjab features 13th state to fulfil One Nation One Ration Card reform