Delhi-Mumbai Expressway status: Where you can drive as new 244 km stretch opens

Construction of the 1,382 km Delhi-Mumbai Expressway has been going on under full-swing, once completed, the project is designed to cut travel time down to just 12 hours between the two major cities. In February 2023, the first phase of the expressway between Delhi and Rajasthan’s Jaipur was opened to the public. The new stretch of expressway, led to a reduction of 2 hours travel time between Delhi and Jaipur. Once completed, the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway will cut across six states, including Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Here are some latest updates on the current progress of the massive project.

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) recently issued a public notice, listing the fee structures for vehicles plying on seven stretches across Madhya Pradesh (MP). These are marked between kilometre 220 to kilometre 720 of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. NHAI has formally inaugurated the 244 km stretch between Jhabua (Baroda-Indore highway) to Modak, near Rajasthan’s Jhalawar on September 20. However, According to HV Kumar, Indian highway and automotive expert, for a complete haul into Delhi from MP, travellers will need to cut away from the expressway at Modak and follow the Ujjain – Kota – Tonk – Lalsot Road before re-entering the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway to reach the capital city. Expert, HV Kumar reported that the break from the expressway is not an easy drive.

He further reported that while the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway’s Sohna Road (starting point South of Delhi/ Gurgaon) till Lalsot (South of Dausa/ Jaipur) is operational, the section between Lalsot and Sawai in Rajashtan has been completed but is not open to the public yet. ‘After the Sawai Madhopur, work is still underway through Kota till Modak, south of Kota, near Jhalawar. It is now being opened beyond Modak till near Jhabua/ Dahod in MP between teh RJ & GJ borders.’ HV Kumar further said.