Vadodra-Mumbai section of Delhi Expressway: When will it be operational? CM Fadnavis reveals; check costs, key features | Today’s news
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the Vadodara-Mumbai section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is likely to be operational by August 31 this year, reducing travel time between Mumbai and Vadodara from around eight hours to nearly four hours.
He mentioned that the expressway will significantly improve connectivity between Delhi and Mumbai while also strengthening connectivity between key industrial hubs.
The Mumbai-Delhi Expressway, one of India’s largest infrastructure projects, is a 1,400-kilometer eight-lane greenfield controlled-access corridor being developed by the Union government at an estimated cost ₹1 lakh crore. The highway will pass through Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra, improving connectivity across the five states.
The Maharashtra portion of the Vadodara-Mumbai corridor is about 157 kilometers long and costing almost ₹24,000 million crowns. The stretch is divided into seven construction packages, five of which are already completed and ready for operation, according to PTI. The remaining two packages are expected to be completed by August 2026.
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According to an official statement, the expressway will offer faster, safer and congestion-free travel for commuters while increasing the efficiency of commercial transport.
What did CM Fadnavis say?
During the inspection of the project, Fadnavis reviewed the progress of the construction and directed the officials to ensure that the work is completed on time without any compromise in quality.
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The chief minister said one of the key benefits of the project is its direct connectivity to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), which is expected to enable faster, more efficient and cost-effective movement of goods from northern India, thereby strengthening the country’s logistics network.
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Fadnavis mentioned that the corridor would significantly improve cargo movement to JNPA by easing traffic congestion on the Thane, Bhiwandi and Ghodbunder routes, resulting in savings in both travel time and fuel, while providing a more reliable route for freight.
He noted that better connectivity between industrial hubs in northern and western India and Mumbai’s port network would boost exports, attract investment, boost industrial growth and create jobs. According to him, the project will also contribute significantly to strengthening India’s infrastructure and overall economic development.
Maharashtra CM reviews Vadhavan Port
Meanwhile, Fadnavis said he was happy to inspect the progress of the Vadhavan port project, which is being developed as the country’s largest port under the Prime Minister’s leadership, according to ANI.
Talking to reporters, the Maharashtra CM said that all regulatory clearances have been obtained and construction is now underway. He admitted that some land acquisition issues were still pending, but said the government would resolve them after consultation with the local community, adding that special measures would be taken to protect the interests of the local fishing community.
“We also intend to connect the local youth to the one million job opportunities expected here through skill development initiatives… I am very happy with the progress. Apart from the Vadhavan port, I also inspected the bullet train station currently under construction at Boisar on my way here; the work there is also progressing very well…” he further said.
