Delhi–Mumbai Expressway to Become a New Growth Engine for Backward Regions: Gadkari

Jaipur, July 2026: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway is much more than a transportation corridor, describing it as a catalyst for economic growth, industrial development and employment in the regions through which it passes. He said the world-class expressway will transform several underdeveloped areas by attracting investments and creating new business opportunities.

Addressing a public gathering at Gopalpura-Mandana in Kota, Gadkari said nearly 75-80 percent of the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway project has already been completed at an estimated cost of around ₹1.10 lakh crore, while the remaining work is progressing rapidly. He expressed confidence that within the next two years, road travel from Delhi to Mumbai’s Nariman Point and Jawaharlal Nehru Port would be reduced to nearly 12 hours.

Major Road Projects Announced for Kota

The Union Minister announced several important highway projects for the Kota region. A new eight-lane link road will be constructed from National Highway-52, bypassing the Mukundra Wildlife Sanctuary, to connect directly with the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway. The project is estimated to cost around ₹550 crore.

He also announced the construction of a 21-km four-lane greenfield connectivity road linking Kota to the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway via Balapura. Gadkari said efforts would be made to begin work on both projects within the next three months. In addition, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for connecting Bhawanimandi with the expressway has already been initiated.

The minister further announced that a new expressway running parallel to the Chambal River between Kota and Etawah would now be known as the Atal Expressway, replacing its earlier proposed name, Chambal Express Highway. The ₹15,000-crore project, dedicated to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is currently in the DPR stage and construction is expected to begin soon.

Centre Committed to Rajasthan’s Development

Gadkari praised Rajasthan’s historical, cultural and tourism significance and said the state was progressing rapidly under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. He assured that the Central Government would continue extending every possible support to Rajasthan and that there would be no shortage of funds for development projects.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a $5 trillion economy requires world-class infrastructure across agriculture, industry, commerce and services. Modern highways, tunnels and transportation networks, he said, will serve as the backbone of a developed India.

Highlighting infrastructure achievements since 2014, Gadkari said the Centre has significantly increased investments in roads, energy, water and communication infrastructure. He noted that quality infrastructure encourages industries, boosts investments, generates employment and helps reduce poverty.

The minister also highlighted innovations in highway construction, saying nearly 80 lakh tonnes of waste material has already been utilised in road building across the country. New technologies, including bio-bitumen, are also being adopted to improve sustainability and efficiency.

CM Bhajan Lal Sharma Hails Road Infrastructure Push

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said India has witnessed an unprecedented transformation in road infrastructure under Gadkari’s leadership. He remarked that few could have imagined a world-class corridor like the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway connecting Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Dausa, Alwar and Jhalawar.

He said landmark projects such as the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway and the Bharatmala Programme would significantly accelerate Rajasthan’s economic development. Sharma described the Mukundra Tunnel section of the expressway as an outstanding example of modern Indian engineering, featuring advanced safety systems and world-class ventilation facilities despite being constructed through difficult terrain.

The Chief Minister also said that a DPR is being prepared for a four-lane elevated spur road connecting Kota’s DCM Road to Ummedganj, ensuring seamless connectivity with the expressway. He added that the Rajasthan Government has approved development projects worth nearly ₹5,000 crore for Kota district over the past two and a half years.

Sharma highlighted Kota’s growing importance as a centre for education, culture, industry, agriculture and mineral resources. He credited Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s continuous efforts and Central Government support for giving fresh momentum to the development of Kota and the Hadoti region.

Om Birla Calls Expressway a Lifeline for India

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said India has built one of the strongest highway and road networks under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and Gadkari’s stewardship of the road transport ministry. He said the government’s focus remains on improving the lives of people living in every corner of the country.

Birla described the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway as a future lifeline for India that would bring prosperity and economic opportunities to the region. He also praised the Rajasthan Government’s efforts to expand irrigation and water availability for farmers, stating that projects such as the Yamuna Water Agreement and Ram Jal Setu would lay the foundation for a developed, self-reliant and water-secure Rajasthan.

Earlier in the day, Gadkari inspected the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway at the Laban Interchange in Bundi along with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. During the visit, the Chief Minister also toured an exhibition showcasing paddy, sandstone and products developed under the Rajeevika rural livelihood programme.

Several ministers, legislators, senior government officials and members of the public were present during the event.