Politics · India · 2 hrs ago
Delhi-Mumbai Expressway’s nonstop drive may wait until December 2029
The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway may not offer a nonstop drive until December 2029.
Three sections covering about 90 kilometres in Gujarat have not yet started construction.
The contracts were terminated after the original developer, Roadways Solutions India Infra Ltd, failed to meet project milestones despite extensions.
NHAI is evaluating bids for two sections and selecting a replacement contractor for the third.
One earlier bidder did not sign its contract and gave up Rs 15 crore in bid security.
NHAI hopes to finish the appointment process this month, start work within a couple of months and complete the three sections in about two years.
Sections in Maharashtra and Rajasthan are expected by April 2027, while the Gujarat sections could follow by December 2029.
The expressway was intended to cut Delhi-Mumbai travel time by half, to about 12 hours.
The nonstop Delhi-Mumbai Expressway drive may not be possible until December 2029.
Work has yet to start on three sections spanning around 90 km in Gujarat.
The National Highways Authority of India is processing bids for two sections and nearing the appointment of a replacement contractor for the third.
The three Gujarat contracts were terminated after the original contractor failed to meet milestones despite multiple extensions.
Sections still unfinished in Maharashtra and Rajasthan are expected to be ready by April 2027.
- Who
- The National Highways Authority of India is handling the bids and contractor appointment. The original contractor was Roadways Solutions India Infra Ltd.
- What
- Three unfinished Gujarat sections of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway are being put out for bids or assigned a replacement contractor.
- When
- The uninterrupted drive may have to wait until December 2029. The article was published on October 17, 2026.
- Where
- The sections are in Gujarat, on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.
- Why
- The original contractor failed to meet project milestones, and work on the sections has not started. The wider project has also been delayed by Covid-19, land acquisition and statutory approvals.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Packages 8, 9 and 10 in Gujarat were awarded to Roadways Solutions India Infra Ltd.
The contracts were terminated because the company failed to meet set milestones.
NHAI was processing bids for two Gujarat sections and was in the final stage of appointing a replacement contractor for the third.
The three Gujarat sections are expected to be ready by this date.
The unfinished sections in Maharashtra and Rajasthan are expected to be ready by this date.
- Gujarat sections
- Packages 8, 9 and 10, spanning around 90 km
- Package 8
- Jujuwa to Gandewa; seven bids received
- Package 9
- Karvad to Jujuwa; six bids received
- Bid security
- Bansal Construction Works forfeited Rs 15 crore after not signing the Letter of Acceptance
- Expected Gujarat completion
- December 2029
- Expected Maharashtra and Rajasthan completion
- April 2027
What people are saying
These three stretches would be ready latest by December 2029. The Expressway project has faced delay due to several reasons, including Covid-19, delay in land acquisition and statutory approvals.