New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s solo inspection of the Dwarka Expressway has stirred a wave of memes and criticism on social media, with users questioning the optics of the event and the progress of the high-profile infrastructure project.
The Prime Minister was seen walking alone on a section of the expressway in a video shared by official government handles, meant to highlight the scale and modernity of the project. However, the visuals of Modi walking without any traffic or public presence quickly went viral, with users calling it a “PR stunt” and joking about the absence of vehicles on a road “built for the people.”
The Dwarka Expressway, part of the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) Delhi-Gurugram connectivity plan, has been delayed multiple times due to land acquisition issues and construction bottlenecks. Originally slated for completion in 2023, it is now expected to open in mid-2026, officials said.
Critics on X (formerly Twitter) pointed out that despite years of promises, several sections remain incomplete, with commuters facing persistent jams in nearby areas like Mahipalpur and Dwarka Sector 21. “Modi walking alone on Dwarka Expressway is symbolic — empty promises, empty roads,” one user posted.
Supporters of the Prime Minister, however, defended the visit, saying it demonstrated hands-on governance and his commitment to overseeing major infrastructure works personally. “This is how a leader monitors national development,” wrote another user.
The ₹10,000-crore expressway, which will be India’s first eight-lane elevated urban expressway, aims to decongest Delhi-Gurugram traffic and provide seamless access to the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the upcoming Dwarka Sector 21 Metro interchange.
Despite the mixed reactions online, NHAI officials reaffirmed that the expressway is in its “final stages” of construction and will soon be open to the public.
