Gadkari Reviews Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Work in Gujarat, Announces ₹20,000-Crore Boost for State Highways

By Admin

28 Nov, 2025

The development of India’s transport infrastructure received a major push as Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari reviewed the progress of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway during his visit to Gujarat. Speaking in Surat on Thursday, Gadkari confirmed that the ambitious corridor set to be India’s longest highway is now nearing completion and is poised to drastically cut logistics costs, improve road travel, and boost the country’s economic competitiveness.

Expressway Nearing Completion with World-Class Standards
While reviewing ongoing works on the expressway, Gadkari also assessed the condition of National Highways 53 and 48. He praised the quality of construction, noting that the roads have been built using the latest technologies. “We have seen the quality of roads and found it excellent. Some issues are being rectified. Our ministry has set seven world records in the development of highways, including the Vadodara section,” he said. He added that steps such as continuous quality checks, extensive plantation along the corridors, and improved public amenities will further enhance the travel experience.

A 1,350-km Transformation in Connectivity
Calling the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway a historic project, Gadkari highlighted that the 1,350-km corridor will reduce travel time between the two metros to just 12 hours. This makes it not only India’s longest highway but also one of the longest expressways in the world. He recalled the earlier challenges involving land acquisition and environmental clearances but confirmed that all major hurdles have now been resolved. “The project will be completed soon,” the minister assured.

A Push to Cut Logistics Costs and Boost Exports
Gadkari underlined the government’s mission to reduce India’s logistics cost currently at 16% to single digits. He emphasized that promoting electric buses, electric trucks, and biofuels on the expressway will play a major role in achieving this. “China’s logistics cost is 8%, while Europe and the US stand at 12%. High-quality roads and the use of cleaner fuels will help us boost exports and tourism,” he said.

Addressing Road Damage Concerns in Gujarat
Responding to concerns about damaged stretches of National Highways in Gujarat, Gadkari reassured citizens that repair work is already underway. He reiterated his ministry’s commitment to delivering safe, durable and high-quality highways across the state.

₹20,000 Crore Boost for Gujarat’s Road Infrastructure
During his two-day Gujarat visit, the minister also announced a massive ₹20,000-crore allocation under NHAI to strengthen the state’s highway network. After inspecting highways near Himmatnagar, Gadkari held a high-level review meeting in Gandhinagar with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and senior officials. He directed contractors and engineers to maintain the highest construction standards, warning that negligence will not be tolerated.

CM Bhupendra Patel highlighted that Gujarat’s highways carry over 35% of the state’s vehicle load, underscoring the need for timely maintenance and faster completion of crucial corridors such as the Ahmedabad-Mumbai, Rajkot-Gondal-Jetpur and Ahmedabad-Udaipur routes.

With the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway nearing completion and a fresh infusion of investment into state highways, Gujarat is set to witness a major leap in connectivity, trade efficiency, and overall road infrastructure quality.