Delhi-Mumbai Expressway: Kota-Delhi Section To Open After Diwali Amid Project Delays

The much-anticipated Kota-Delhi section of the Delhi-Mumbai expressway is expected to be opened to traffic after Diwali this year, according to one Times of India report.

The expressway, which commenced in 2019, was originally scheduled for completion in 2023 but has now been pushed back to 2026. A direct road link to Mumbai is anticipated next year, though full connectivity remains stalled

Officials attribute the extended timeline largely to the construction of a 4.9 km tunnel in the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, where work is scheduled to begin only after February 2026.

“Work on Package 10, a 26.5 km stretch, is currently underway, with 95 per cent completed. Only finishing touches remain. We are making every effort to complete this section on time,” an NHAI official was quoted as saying in the report.

At present, commuters travelling between Kota and Delhi are compelled to exit the expressway and traverse a 60 km two-lane highway before rejoining near Sawai Madhopur.

This detour frequently causes congestion and delays. “This detour often delays commuters, but the expressway section from Kota to Delhi will start after Diwali,” a source was quoted.

Beyond the tunnel, additional hurdles have slowed progress. Relocation of a 765-kV double-circuit power transmission line stretching from Anta in Baran district to Phagi in Jaipur required precision planning and timed shutdowns, disrupting construction.

“Shifting these high-tension lines required careful planning and scheduled shutdowns, which affected our timeline,” another official explained.

Unusually heavy rainfall in July and August compounded the setbacks, damaging access roads and disrupting the movement of construction materials.

Authorities have confirmed that once cleared through a safety audit, four of the planned eight lanes will be opened initially.

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