Narendra Modi in Baghpat updates: Country's development is a joke for Congress, says PM

Crowd cheers for Modi at Baghpet

For Congress, their family is their country, says Modi

"For Congress, their family is their country. For me, my country is my family. The people of this country are the members of my family. To earn, it is only your blessings I seek. The Opposition is misleading people with their lives. People of India have lost faith in the Congress," said Modi in a stinging attack on the Congress. 

'Congress never cared about welfare of people': Modi

"BJP has worked for Dalits and OBCs and I promise we will keep doing the good work. Congress never cared about the welfare of people. The truth is, Congress and its allies always mock anything and everything that is being done for all the backward classes, tribals. They always act as obstacles in development," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Baghpat rally.

EPE will help reduce pollution, fuel-use: Modi

"With less pollution, less fuel-use, EPE will also help transport fruits and vegetables into NCR easily. Developing infrastructure is the way to 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. For this our government has emphasised on electricity, roadways, highways, motorways." the prime minister said in Baghpat. 

Delhi burdened with polltution woes, says Modi

"Taking problem of pollution seriously, our government has taken up the task to build a ring road of sorts around Delhi. The EPE will help reduce traffic congestion in Delhi. 50,000 vehicles will not have enter Delhi at all. EPE is also India's first green expressway," said Narendra Modi in Baghpat. 

Narendra Modi inaugurates Eastern Peripheral Expressway

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 135 kilometre-long Eastern Peripheral Expressway on Sunday in Baghpat. It is said to be the India's first smart and green highway. 

Eastern Peripheral Expressway is India's first highway to be lit by solar power

The 135-kilometre EPE, built at a cost of Rs 11,000 crore, has several unique features and is India's first highway to be lit by solar power besides provisions of rain water harvesting on every 500 metres on both sides and would showcase 36 national monuments and 40 fountains. - PTI

Union ministers discuss development at Baghpat venue

'Development' is at the centre of discussion on the stage in Baghpat. The Eastern Peripheral Expressway is being called as the " symbol of development". The crowd is chanting "Jai Shri Ram".

Since the Muzzafarnagar riots, this area has been viewed as sensitive. Despite the tension between the sects, the locals here believe that the crowd cannot be polarised so easily here.

Nitin Gadkari says Eastern Peripheral Expressway will reduce Delhi's pollution woes

Union minister Nitin Gadkari assured that Eastern Peripheral Expressway will be completed by March 2019. "The Supreme Court was monitoring the project. We paid Rs 6,000 crore for land acquisition to farmers. We are installing world's most advanced features in the EPE project," he said.

Nitin Gadkari address rally, Narendra Modi to speak shortly 

Among those present at the Baghpat venue are Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naik, Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Narendra Modi is expected to speak shortly.

BJP workers present in large numbers in Baghpat ahead of Modi's speech

Despite the hot weather condition, BJP supporters have reached the Baghpat venue in large numbers. Narendra Modi has reached the place to address the rally. The energetic supporters at the venue are sure that the new expressway will lead to the development of the region.

Narendra Modi recognises Cuttack-based tea vendor's contributions

During his Mann Ki Baat programme, Narendra Modi ​congratulated D Prakash Rao, a small tea vendor from Cuttack who runs Asha Ashwaasan school and spends half his income on children living in slums and hut settlements. "Rao, from Odisha's Cuttack has been selling tea for the past 50 years. He spends 50 percent of his income on the education of more than 70 poor children. His life is an inspiration to all," Modi said.

Modi pays tribute to Veer Savarkar

Narendra Modi remembered Veer Savarkar's contributions during Mann Ki Baat. "The month of May is associated with a historic event in 1857. While many preferred to call it only a Mutiny or a Sepoy Mutiny, it was Veer Savarkar who called it the First War of Independence. I pay my tributes to the great Veer Savarkar," he said.

Modi's pitch for Yoga Day

Narendra Modi spoke on the significance and importance of yoga.  "The world celebrates 26 June as International Yoga Day. The world has seen the manner in which Yoga unites. We believe in yoga for unity and yoga for a harmonious society," he said.

Modi speaks on dust storms

"Dust storms are unseasonal. In the last few weeks we saw what happens due to unusual weather patterns. India will do everything possible for a cleaner and greener tomorrow," Narendra Modi said during his Mann Ki Baat address.

"This time, let us focus on tree planting," he appealed.

Narendra Modi addresses India through Mann Ki Baat program

While addressing the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the people who scaled Mount Everent in the recent weeks. "Who does not know what sense of adventure is? If we see the development journey of mankind, progress has arisen from the womb of some adventure. Development is born in the lap of adventure," he said.

He also commended the BSF team for not only scaling Mount Everest recently, but removing loads of trash littered there and bringing it down as part of the ‘Clean Ganga-Clean Himalaya Campaign’.

Modi's roadshow affects traffic movement in Delhi NCR

Narendra Modi's roadshow has caused massive traffic jam at NH 24 between Nizamuddin and Ghazipur. The prime minister's roadshow commenced from the Nizamuddin bridge, the start of the about 9 kilometre first leg of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway. He is scheduled to fly to Baghpat for dedicating the EPE to the nation and after a 6-kilometre travel on the stretch. 

Narendra Modi reaches New Delhi's Nizamuddin along with Union minister Nitin Gadkari to inaugurate two expressways