Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Update: Tunnel Near Kota To Open Soon, Travel Time To Delhi Cut To 4 Hours

The Rajasthan stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, spanning 373 kilometres, is expected to be completed this year, as per a Patrika report. Currently, around 35 kilometres of work remains unfinished, which authorities claim will be completed by September. Once finalised, the expressway will reduce the travel time between Kota and Delhi to just four hours.

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway: Progress And Challenges

According to officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), approximately 27 kilometres of work on the Sawai Madhopur-Dausa-Bundi section is anticipated to be finished by April. Additionally, the construction of a tunnel near Kota is expected to be completed by September.

Photo Credit: PTI

Although the project was initially scheduled for completion in 2024, delays arose due to challenges in tunnel construction and other technical issues.

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway: Eight Lanes

The expressway currently features eight lanes but is designed for future expansion to twelve lanes to accommodate growing traffic. The NHAI has strategically acquired land to avoid further acquisitions for this purpose. At present, the maximum speed limit for light vehicles is 120 km/h, but this may be increased to 140 km/h later.

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway: Sections In Use

Traffic first began on the Sohna-Dausa section of the expressway, connecting Sohna and Bhandarej near Dausa. This portion was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking significant progress in the project. The NHAI aims to complete the entire expressway by the end of this year or the first quarter of the next, reducing the Delhi-Mumbai travel distance to approximately 1,386 kilometres with a travel time of just 12 hours.

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway: Jaipur Connection

To improve connectivity, a four-lane expressway linking the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway to Jaipur via Bandikui is also under construction. This project is expected to be completed by March, further enhancing regional travel efficiency.