The long-awaited nine-kilometer segment of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, connecting the DND Flyway to Meethapur in South Delhi, is now expected to be ready for public use by June 2026. This update was provided by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in response to a parliamentary query raised by Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, the BJP MP representing South Delhi.
Construction Progress and Reason for Delay
Gadkari informed Parliament that the construction work on the segment from the DND Junction to Jaitpur is in its final stages, with a significant 94.2% of the work already completed. The project, initially slated for completion this year, encountered delays primarily due to slower-than-anticipated progress in building a bridge over the Agra Canal. Once this hurdle is overcome, the stretch will be finalized.
A Glimpse of the Mega Infrastructure Project
With an estimated investment of around Rs 1 lakh crore, the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway stands as one of India's most ambitious infrastructure undertakings. Its primary goals are to drastically reduce travel time between the two major metros and alleviate chronic traffic congestion within the national capital region.
Already Operational Sections Providing Relief
Significant portions of the expressway are already functional and delivering benefits. MP Bidhuri highlighted that the 24-kilometer section from Meethapur to Sector-65 in Faridabad is open, as is the 26-kilometer stretch from Sector-65 to Sohna. Furthermore, the Sohna-Dausa segment was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2023.
"These operational sections have already provided major relief to thousands of daily commuters traveling between Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Palwal," Bidhuri stated. He added that the expressway has also made road journeys to Jaipur considerably faster and more convenient.
Anticipated Benefits of the New Stretch
The upcoming DND-Meerapur link is poised to be a game-changer for South Delhi residents and other commuters. Entry and exit points have been constructed at Meethapur Chowk for seamless access. "Once this stretch becomes operational, commuters will be able to directly enter the expressway from the DND Flyway," explained Bidhuri.
This direct connectivity is expected to help drivers bypass notorious traffic bottlenecks, leading to shorter commute times and a notable reduction in vehicular pollution caused by prolonged idling in traffic jams. The project marks a critical step in enhancing regional connectivity and driving economic growth through improved infrastructure.
