Delhi to Mumbai in 12 Hours? Expressway Completion Delayed by 2 Years – Here’s Why
Delhi to Mumbai in 12 Hours? Expressway Completion Delayed by 2 Years – Here’s Why
The highly anticipated Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, which promises to cut travel time between the two cities to just 12 hours, is now facing a significant delay. Initially slated for completion by March 2024, the project is now expected to be fully operational only by 2027, primarily due to slow progress in several sections, particularly in Gujarat.
According to The Times of India, three critical stretches in Gujarat, covering a total of 87 kilometers, are lagging behind. One 35-kilometer segment has seen no progress, while the other two are only 7% and 35% complete, respectively. This has contributed to the overall delay of the 1,382-kilometer expressway, which spans Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently reviewed the progress of the ₹1 lakh crore project with officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, urging them to expedite the work.
Despite these setbacks, officials have provided an updated timeline for different sections. The Haryana stretch is already complete, while the Rajasthan portion is expected to be finished by March-April 2026. In Maharashtra, most packages are on track for completion by the end of 2024, except for a 21-kilometer link to Jawaharlal Nehru Port, which has now been assigned to the NHAI instead of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).
Meanwhile, Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, recently stated that the Delhi section of the expressway is expected to be ready by 2026.
