NEW DELHI: The first leg of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, stretching from the DND Flyway to Jaitpur in the National Capital, will be completed within the next 20 days. Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari announced on Monday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be requested to inaugurate this crucial infrastructure project. Gadkari conducted an inspection of the DND–Faridabad–Sohna access-controlled section of the expressway alongside Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and ministers from the Centre, Delhi, and Haryana.
Enhanced Connectivity and Decongestion
Once this stretch is opened to traffic, commuters traveling from Noida, East Delhi, and South Delhi will be able to bypass congested city roads to reach Sohna and proceed towards Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Additionally, a 31.5-km link currently under construction from this access-controlled stretch to Jewar airport will reduce travel time from South Delhi to the new airport to just 45 minutes.
Addressing mediapersons after the inspection, Gadkari emphasized that the DND to Sohna link is part of the Centre's Delhi-NCR decongestion plan, aimed at improving ease of living and ensuring seamless movement across the region. He stated that the Centre is working to make Delhi’s transport network modern and future-ready by constructing new expressways, ring roads, tunnels, and elevated corridors. He also announced plans for projects worth Rs 34,000 crore in Delhi-NCR, including a six-lane link from UER-II to the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway and another six-lane connectivity from the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway to Noida and Faridabad.
Government Investments and Toll Issues
During her address, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta highlighted that the Centre has invested Rs 1.3 lakh crore for highway development in the capital and its surrounding areas. She remarked, “Delhi’s traffic situation would have been unimaginable today had the Centre not gone ahead with the construction of expressways, elevated corridors, tunnels, and signal-free road networks.”
In response to a question regarding congestion at Delhi’s borders due to the collection of Environment Compensation Cess (ECC) from goods vehicles and municipal toll, Gadkari confirmed that he has discussed the issue with the Delhi CM and assured that a solution will be found soon.
Route Details and Engineering Marvel
The Delhi stretch of the Mumbai Expressway begins at Maharani Bagh near the DND Flyway in Delhi and passes through Kalindi Kunj, Jaitpur-Mithapur road, and the Faridabad Bypass before linking to the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway near Khalilpur in Haryana’s Nuh district.
Unique Feature: Network Arch Bridge
The landmark Network Arch Bridge incorporates advanced engineering features such as inclined crossed hangers, high-damping rubber bearings, swivel-type expansion joints, DYWIDAG galvanized suspenders, E450 structural steel, and Grade 10.9 high tensile bolts. These elements ensure superior structural efficiency, seismic resilience, long-term durability, and enhanced riding comfort.
Constructed at a cost of Rs 142.3 crore, the bridge stands out with 36.4-meter wide pier caps, among the widest in India, and a 47-meter high arch rib. Together, these features make it an iconic and aesthetically significant addition to Delhi–NCR’s connectivity infrastructure.
Environmental Compensation and Afforestation
In compensation for forest diversion, afforestation is being undertaken on 10 hectares of barren land allocated by NTPC, previously used for fly ash dumping. This site is being developed into a Jungle Safari project initiated by the Delhi Government, combining ecological restoration with public engagement.
