A significant portion of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near Ankleshwar in Gujarat is expected to become operational by December 2025, marking a critical milestone in the completion of one of India’s largest infrastructure projects. The new stretch is poised to improve connectivity for residents and industrial commuters in the Hansot-Ankleshwar belt, reducing travel time and enhancing economic efficiency in the region.
The expressway, spanning a total of 1,380 km from Delhi to Mumbai, passes through 413 km of Gujarat. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has confirmed that an entry and exit point near Pun village in Ankleshwar will provide streamlined access to three key industrial zones – Ankleshwar, Panoli, and Jhagadia. Officials emphasised that this facility will significantly reduce congestion within Bharuch city and improve logistics for industrial transport. Currently, commuters travelling from Bharuch to Surat can use the expressway up to Ankleshwar’s Pun village and then exit via the Ankleshwar-Hansot-Olpad state highway toward Surat. The reverse route offers the same convenience for travelers heading to Bharuch from Surat, cutting previous travel delays caused by city traffic and longer detours.
The decision to open the Ankleshwar entry-exit point follows consultations with local representatives and industrial stakeholders, who highlighted the need for more direct access to the expressway. Officials explained that the improved connectivity will save both time and fuel for commercial and private vehicles, supporting regional economic growth. In addition to the expressway entry point, a proposal has been submitted for converting the Hansot-Ankleshwar-Sahol route into a four-lane road. This corridor, linking to the historic Dandi route, will further enhance mobility for residents and industries in South Gujarat, complementing the expressway’s impact on local infrastructure.
The Bharuch-Navsari stretch of the expressway is scheduled for full operation by the end of November, with ongoing construction between Ankleshwar and Kim being prioritised to ensure timely completion. Presently, seamless connectivity is available from Ahmedabad to Bharuch via the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway and the operational Vadodara-Bharuch stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. Experts note that the new infrastructure will not only improve road transport efficiency but also contribute to reducing emissions by curtailing long detours and idle traffic within cities. Urban planners emphasise the importance of integrating sustainable practices, such as electric vehicle corridors and efficient logistics planning, along major expressways to minimise the environmental impact of expanding road networks.
As Gujarat prepares to operationalise this critical segment, the Ankleshwar stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway promises to be a transformative development, enhancing regional connectivity, streamlining industrial transport, and supporting sustainable urban and economic growth in the state.
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