The ambitious Delhi-Mumbai Expressway project is now slated for completion by October 2025, according to an update from Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways. This vital infrastructure initiative aims to revolutionise connectivity between India’s capital and its financial hub, promising to reduce travel time to a mere 12 hours upon full operation.
In a recent address to the Rajya Sabha, Gadkari revealed that progress on the expressway is substantial, with 1136 km of the total 1386 km already completed, representing 82% of the project’s overall work. The expressway will serve as a crucial link between major economic regions, traversing Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
Once operational, the expressway is expected to significantly streamline logistics and passenger travel. It is projected to shorten the distance between Delhi and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) by approximately 180 km and slash travel times to various destinations by up to 50%. The project’s strategic importance lies in its capacity to bolster economic activities and enhance efficiency in transportation. However, the project has faced delays, particularly with the Gujarat segment due to land acquisition hurdles. The construction for two critical sections spanning 62 km in Gujarat began only recently, with bidding processes concluding in November 2023.
Work on one of these sections commenced in April 2024, while the other began in July. Currently, around 630 km of the expressway is accessible to traffic, albeit in fragmented stretches. Notably, the 293 km stretch between Sohna, Dausa, and Sawai Madhopur is operational, as is a 245 km segment between Jhalawar and the MP/Gujarat border. Officials are optimistic that the expressway’s first phase, extending 845 km from Sohna to Vadodara, will be fully functional by March 2025.
Additionally, Gadkari highlighted the impressive growth in India’s national highway network. Since March 2014, the length of national highways has increased from 91,287 km to 1,46,126 km, with 98,021 km constructed at an investment of INR 14.55 lakh crore. This expansion underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing India’s road infrastructure and connectivity. While the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway faces some delays, the project remains a pivotal development, promising to enhance intercity travel and economic integration across India. The revised completion timeline reflects the ongoing efforts to address challenges and ensure the expressway’s timely delivery.
