The first phase of developing the Delhi-Mumbai expressway is expected to be completed in 2022. Once completed, the expressway will cut travel time from Delhi to Jaipur to three hours. By Naina Atri
While the highly anticipated Delhi-Mumbai expressway is likely to be completed by 2023, its first phase of Delhi to Dausa (60 kilometres from Jaipur via the NH21), will be open to traffic by March 2022, reports the Indian Express. While the deadline for completion had initially been set for November 2021 by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the second wave of COVID-19 delayed plans.
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With this, you’ll be able to travel non-stop from Dhaula Kuan in Delhi to Jaipur in nearly three hours, by taking the Delhi-Gurgaon and Sohna-Mumbai expressways. According to an NHAI official, although technically the distance between Delhi and Jaipur via NH-8—the highway currently used—is the same as that of the new expressway, the high-speed non-stop travel on the latter will reduce travel time. The current drive time is around five to six hours, but with the maximum speed limit of 120 kilometres per hour on the new route, drivers will be able to cut short their travel time to three hours.
The longer 1,380 kilometre-long Delhi-Mumbai expressway will pass through Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. With eight lanes, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari claims the new expressway will be one of the fastest in the world, as reported by Times Of India. Starting from Delhi’s DND and ending at Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port, the expressway will allow cars to cover the distance in approximately 12 hours, as opposed to the current travel time of 24 hours. Heavier vehicles like trucks will take a little longer, around 18-20 hours. Gadkari also mentions that various roadside services such as restaurants, resorts, fuel stops and facilities for heavy vehicles will be available.
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What’s more, there’s also talks of an electric highway from Delhi to Jaipur, reports Hindustan Times. This highway will reduce traffic congestion on the route and prevent accidents, writes the media house.
The longest in India, the Delhi-Mumbai expressway, is an INR 98,000 crore project that will connect major urban centres. According to the Times of India, the NHAI predicts a reduction of CO2 emissions by 850 million kilograms, while boosting annual fuel savings of more than 320 million litres. Reduced travel time, congestion and fuel costs make for the perfect road trip, doesn’t it?
Related: Here’s Your Definitive Guide To Exploring Jaipur Like A Local
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