Completion Timeline Announced
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced on July 8, 2026, that the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway will be fully completed within two years. The expressway, once finished, will reduce travel time between the two major cities to approximately 12 hours, a significant improvement from the current journey of over 24 hours.
Project Origins and Progress
Speaking about the ambitious corridor, Gadkari revealed that the idea for the expressway emerged during an earlier visit to Kota. The project spans approximately 1,350 kilometers and is being developed at a cost of over ₹1 lakh crore. As of the announcement, substantial portions of the expressway are already operational, with the remaining sections expected to be completed by mid-2028.
Impact and Benefits
The expressway is expected to boost economic growth, improve connectivity, and reduce logistics costs. It will pass through six states: Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The project also includes greenfield alignment, access-controlled lanes, and modern safety features. Gadkari emphasized that the expressway would not only ease passenger travel but also enhance freight movement, contributing to the government's goal of reducing logistics costs from 14% to 9% of GDP.
