India’s prime minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Kundli-Manesar section of the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Western Peripheral Expressway in the state of Haryana.

The Rs64bn ($897.25m) project was first conceptualised in 2003 to reduce pollution and slash the pressure of commercial transit traffic in Delhi.

The 83km stretch of Western Peripheral Expressway running from Kundli to Manesar includes 56 underpasses, 14 major or minor bridges, seven intersections and seven toll plazas.

A separate 52km section from Manesar to Palwal comprises 32 underpasses, three intersections and four toll plazas.

“The stretch from Kundli to Manesar includes 56 underpasses, 14 major or minor bridges, seven intersections and seven toll plazas.”

Speed limits have been set at 120km/h and 100km/h for light and heavy vehicles respectively.

Western Peripheral Expressway will connect to the National Highway-8 (Jaipur-Gurgaon-Delhi road), National Highway 1 (Panipat to Delhi), and National Highway-10 (Hisar-Rohtak-Delhi road).

The completion of the project will see high-speed connectivity between the northern and southern districts of Haryana.

Aside from offering faster connectivity, the expressway will take more than 50,000 heavy vehicles off Delhi roads.

Fountains, historical and cultural monuments have been built at different locations to enhance the aesthetic look of the expressway.

An ambulance, crane and police patrol vehicle with a helpline number will be provided at a distance of every 20km for emergencies and accidents.