Delhi to Mumbai in 12 hours? Delhi-Mumbai Expressway completion delayed by 2 years - here's why

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway latest news: Commuters’ wait for travelling between Delhi and Mumbai in just 12 hours has gotten longer! The completion of the entire Delhi-Mumbai Expressway faces a two-year delay due to slow progress in several sections, particularly three segments totalling 87 km in Gujarat.
According to a recent TOI report, one 35-km section shows no progress, whilst two others display minimal advancement at 7% and 35% respectively.
The 1,382-km Delhi-Mumbai Expressway project was split into smaller packages for simultaneous construction. Different packages were tendered with an initial March 2024 deadline, later revised to October 2025.
Recently, Union minister Nitin Gadkari assessed the Rs 1 lakh crore project's progress with NHAI and ministry officials, urging faster execution. The Delhi-Mumbai expressway traverses Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra, promising Delhi-Mumbai travel in 12 hours upon completion.
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Prior to Delhi elections, Harsh Malhotra, MoS for road transport, indicated completion by 2026, citing land acquisition and technical issues as reasons for delay.
Officials report completed work in Haryana, with Rajasthan sections scheduled for March-April 2026 completion. "This enables uninterrupted Delhi-Vadodara travel by March next year. All stakeholders are working to accelerate delayed Gujarat works," an official stated.
Most Maharashtra packages should finish by year-end, except the 21-km Jawaharlal Nehru Port link. Initially planned for MSRDC construction, the highway ministry approved NHAI's involvement in this stretch.
Officials indicate that detailed cost estimates for this section will be prepared shortly for necessary approvals.
Based on typical highway construction timelines, a section requires two years from commencement to completion. The delayed 35-km Gujarat section, assigned to one contractor, is expected to be ready by February 2027.