Delhi-Mumbai Expressway's DND-Faridabad-Sohna stretch 94% done, opening in June 2026
What's the story
The crucial link between central Delhi and the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is expected to be completed by June 2026. This information was affirmed by Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in a written response to the Lok Sabha on Thursday. The project, which is India's longest expressway, is currently at an advanced stage of construction with 94.23% of its first nine-kilometer stretch from DND junction to Jaitpur completed.
Approval delays
Project delays attributed to approval issues
Gadkari attributed previous delays in the project to "delay in approval of the general arrangement drawings of the structure from the Uttar Pradesh irrigation department for crossing of [the] Agra canal." The 59-kilometer DND-Faridabad-Sohna link is being constructed in three packages, with the first 9-kilometer package from the DND junction to Jaitpur nearing completion and scheduled for completion by June 2026.
Project details
Delhi-Mumbai Expressway: A flagship infrastructure project
The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is a flagship infrastructure project that will be an eight-lane, access-controlled highway. It will have a design speed of 120km/h and can be expanded to 12 lanes in the future. The expressway will connect six states, namely, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, by linking the national capital with Mumbai.
Sustainability efforts
Project's green corridor initiative and budget
The project is being developed as a "green corridor," with extensive tree plantation drives, solar-powered lighting on select stretches, wildlife crossings, and sound barriers. It will also have over 2,000 water recharge points and more than 94 on-route amenities for travelers. So far, ₹71,718 crore has been spent on this ambitious project.