Spanning an impressive 1,350 kilometers, the Delhi Mumbai Expressway ranks among India’s longest and most ambitious infrastructure projects. While portions of the route are already open to traffic, the entire corridor is on track for full completion by February 2027. Dive into the details of this transformative highway and discover how it’s reshaping connectivity between two of India’s most dynamic cities!
The Delhi Mumbai Expressway, a groundbreaking infrastructure venture by the Indian government, aims to seamlessly link two of the nation’s most vital economic powerhouses: New Delhi, the political heart of India, and Mumbai, its bustling financial capital. Slated to become India’s longest expressway, this eight-lane marvel—expandable to twelve lanes for future traffic demands—promises to revolutionize cross-country connectivity.
Managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, the project is already making strides. In February 2023, the Sohna-Dausa section opened to the public, marking a critical milestone. With full completion targeted for early 2027, the expressway is set to slash travel time between Delhi and Mumbai from 24 hours to just 12, transforming logistics, tourism, and interstate commerce in one bold stroke.
Spanning 1,350 km—India’s longest expressway—the Delhi Mumbai Expressway is a transformative corridor linking the political heart of New Delhi to the financial powerhouse of Mumbai. Slated for completion by 2027, this ₹1 lakh crore megaproject under the Bharatmala Pariyojana promises to halve travel time between the two cities (from 24 to 12 hours) while reshaping logistics, commerce, and regional development.
Route Breakdown: Bridging Five States
The expressway cuts through Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, with strategic alignments to major hubs like Jaipur, Vadodara, and Surat. Key sections include:
- DND-Faridabad-KMP (59 km): Connects Delhi’s DND Flyway to Faridabad and the upcoming Noida International Airport.
- Sohna–Vadodara (845 km): Traverses Rajasthan’s historic towns (Dausa, Kota) and MP’s industrial zones (Ratlam).
- Vadodara–Virar (356 km): Links Gujarat’s economic hubs (Dahod, Godhra) to Maharashtra’s Virar.
- Virar–JNPT (92 km): Ends at Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port, boosting cargo efficiency.
Smart Infrastructure & Sustainability
- Future-Ready Design: 8 lanes (expandable to 12), with dedicated EV lanes and India’s first e-highway for electric trucks.
- Cutting-Edge Amenities: 93+ roadside hubs with food courts, EV charging stations, trauma centers, and helipads.
- Eco-Friendly Innovations:
- Wildlife Safeguards: 2.5 km of tunnels under Mukundara and Ranthambore reserves, plus animal overpasses.
- Green Corridors: 20 lakh trees irrigated via drip systems and rainwater harvesting.
Economic & Real Estate Impact
Logistics Boost: Slashes fuel use by 32 million liters annually and reduces CO2 emissions by 850 million tons.
Real Estate Surge:
Land prices near Sohna and Gurgaon skyrocketed 60–70% post-expressway announcements.
Sohna emerges as a hotspot, with 50+ housing/commercial projects underway.
Industrial growth expected in Gujarat’s Panchmahal and Maharashtra’s JNPT zones.
Timeline & Progress
- 2023: Sohna-Dausa stretch inaugurated; MP’s 244 km section operational.
- 2024: Vadodara-Bharuch stretch opens; Kota-Bundi section nears completion.
- 2027: Full operational target, with optic fiber networks enhancing telecom connectivity.
Rules & Toll Insights
- Speed Limit: 120 km/h; banned vehicles include bikes, autos, and tractors (₹5,000 fine).
- Smart Tolling: Automatic FASTag deduction at 90+ exits. Current rates:
- Cars: ₹500 (Sohna-Dausa stretch)
- Trucks/Buses: ₹1,685 (full corridor estimate).
The Bigger Picture
Beyond linking Delhi and Mumbai, the expressway integrates with Agra-Gwalior, Mumbai-Nagpur, and Chennai-Surat corridors, creating a pan-India logistics web. Its legacy? A blueprint for sustainable, tech-driven infrastructure that balances growth with ecological responsibility.