Will be ready by 2026, travel time will reduce to 12 hours

Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra on Friday gave major information regarding the status of construction of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. He said that this ambitious project will be completed by 2026. It aims to reduce the travel time between the country’s financial capital (Mumbai) and political capital (Delhi) to 12 hours.

When the project was launched, it was targeted to be completed by January 2023. However, due to technical and administrative reasons its timeline had to be extended.

Minister’s statement on the reason for the delay

During the press conference, when questioned on the reasons for the delay in the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Harsh Malhotra said:

“Work on the project is going on at a fast pace, but some technical and practical problems have emerged. “Land acquisition is often delayed because the process involves the general public and state governments.”

He clarified that land acquisition is a state subject, and involves involvement of multiple state governments, which makes the process a bit complicated.

Foundation stone and inauguration of the expressway

• The foundation stone of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2019.
• Its first section, which is between Sohna in Haryana and Dausa in Rajasthan, was inaugurated by PM Modi in February 2023.
• Another section of this expressway was inaugurated in Rajasthan this week. This program was organized on the occasion of the first anniversary of the BJP government in Rajasthan.

Defects found in construction

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari admitted in Parliament that some deficiencies have been found in the Delhi-Vadodara section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.

• Experts from IIT-Kharagpur and IIT-Gandhinagar inspected the expressway and found technical flaws in the construction.
• Nitin Gadkari said:

“Four contractors have been held responsible for the lapses. Instructions have been given to blacklist them and take strict action against them. “Action will also be taken against the officials concerned.”

country’s longest road

• Delhi-Mumbai Expressway will be the longest road in India.
• Its construction is being done in record time.
• Once the expressway is ready, it will not only reduce the travel time between Delhi and Mumbai, but will also bring a major change in the logistics and infrastructure of the country.