The crucial first segment of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway within the national capital region is nearing completion, with authorities setting a clear deadline. The government informed the Lok Sabha that the initial phase connecting DND to Jaitpur in Delhi is expected to be operational by June this year.
Minister's Detailed Reply in Parliament
Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari provided this update on Thursday through a written reply to a question posed by South Delhi MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri. The minister outlined the current status of the 59-kilometer DND-Faridabad-Sohna link, which forms a part of the monumental expressway project.
Gadkari explained that this specific link is being constructed in three separate packages. Significant progress has already been made, with the last two packages completed and opened for public use. The focus is now entirely on the final piece of this section.
Progress and Hurdles of Package-1
The remaining work falls under Project Package-1, which covers a 9-kilometer stretch from the DND junction to Jaitpur. According to the minister's statement, this package is in an advanced stage, having achieved a physical progress of 94.23%. The official target for its completion is June 2026.
However, the project has faced delays. Gadkari attributed the holdup specifically to a delay in receiving approvals from the Uttar Pradesh irrigation department. The required general arrangement drawings for the structure needed to cross the Agra canal were pending, which impacted the construction timeline for Package-1.
Massive Investment in National Infrastructure
In his reply, the minister also highlighted the enormous financial commitment behind the entire Delhi-Mumbai Expressway project. A staggering sum of Rs 71,718 crore has been expended on the project till date, underscoring its scale and importance as a national infrastructure priority.
The completion of the DND-Jaitpur stretch will mark a significant milestone, enhancing connectivity for commuters in Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR). It is a critical step towards realizing the full potential of the expressway, which aims to drastically reduce travel time between the two major metropolitan cities.
