The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways recently concluded a two-day review of the progress on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, an eight-lane highway set to be the world’s longest once completed. The project is expected to finish by March 2023.
About the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
Stretching 1380 km in length, the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is designed as an eight-lane expressway with capacity to expand to a 12-lane expressway based on traffic volume. The expressway will start from Sohna, Haryana, and traverse across states to conclude around Mira Bhayander near Mumbai.
Special Features of the Expressway
One of the striking features of this expressway will be its wayside amenities that include resorts, restaurants, food courts, and fuel stations. It will also have facilities like logistics parks and features aimed towards facilitating truck drivers. A unique addition to the expressway will be a helicopter ambulance service for accident victims, and a heliport, which will utilize drone services for business purposes.
The expressway has a distinctive attribute of being the first in Asia and only the second globally to incorporate animal overpasses, ensuring uninhibited movement of wildlife. Additionally, the expressway will have two iconic eight-lane tunnels, one tunneling through the Mukundra sanctuary in Rajasthan, while the other will pass through the Matheran eco-sensitive zone in Maharashtra.
Significance of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
Upon completion, this expressway will significantly bolster connectivity to major economic hubs including Jaipur, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Kota, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Bhopal, Ujjain, Indore, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat.
Not only will it provide enhanced connectivity but it’s also expected to lead to annual fuel savings of over 320 million litres, thereby also reducing CO2 emissions significantly. This project, in essence, provides a sustainable solution to road transport between Delhi and Mumbai.
Employment Opportunities and Economic Impact
The construction of the expressway has already stimulated employment opportunities by creating thousands of jobs. In its operational phase, it is expected to further fuel job creation given the ancillary services that will be set up along its route, such as restaurants, resorts, fuel stations, etc.
Overall, the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway project highlights India’s commitment to building sustainable, efficient, and wildlife-friendly infrastructure. Its completion will mark a significant milestone in the country’s infrastructural development sector.
Source: Indian Express
