PM Modi lays foundation stone for 4-laning of two key highways in Maharashtra

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said basic mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas has been inspired from the teachings of Lord Vitthal and Bhagwan Vitthal has connected him with all other devotees.

The Prime Minister said this after laying the foundation stone yesterday for four laning of five sections of Shri Sant Dnyaneshawar Maharaj Palkhi Marg (NH-965) and three sections of Shri Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg (NH-965G) in Maharashtra’s Pandharpur via video conferencing.  

 

About 221 km of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Marg from Diveghat to Mohol and about 130 Km of Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg from Patas to Tondale - Bondale, will be four-laned with dedicated walkways for ‘Palkhi’ on either side.

These road projects are aimed at facilitating the movement of devotees to Pandharpur. Quoting Adi Sankaracharya, the Prime Minister said that Lord Vitthal is the symbol of happiness and Pandharpur is the land of joyousness.

The Prime Minister said, road is the gateway of development. He invoked former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee and said where roads



are built development reaches there. Mr Modi said, the Swachh Bharat mission received support from the Warkaris (pilgrims) as they too started Nirmal Wari. He said, in Dindi-a spiritual procession, there is no caste discrimination.

Mr. Modi urged the warkaris to plant saplings alongside the pathway that leads to the main pilgrim site which in future would grow into huge trees and provide shade. Mr Modi said that he also wants to see Pandharpur as one of the cleanest pilgrimage site in the country.

The Prime Minister also observed that majority of warkaris come from farming community and noted that when the farmers prosper, the society too prospers. He said, a true ‘annadata’ connects society and lives for  society.

During the event, the  Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation more than 223 Km of completed and upgraded road projects at different National Highways for boosting connectivity to Pandharpur.

Union Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray among others were present on the occasion.