Top 10 Upcoming Expressways in India
India is a developing country and so is India's road network. The country has the third-largest road network in the world. Respectively, the United States and China rank first and second. The rate of growth of the Indian road network is enormous, and soon India may overtake the United States and China to take first place. India's road network connects all the major cities with the smaller ones with its national highways, expressways, bridges, and expressways in India. The government ensures that all services are provided along the highways and upcoming highways such as SOS kiosks, CCTV monitoring, speedometers, police and ambulance services. India may soon use the Internet of Things technology to make road travel more convenient and safer. The use of technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data will make driving safer and more efficient. Today, India focuses on making everything world-class. And its upcoming highways are a reflection of that. We cover the top 10 upcoming highways in India and give you discreet information on when, where, and how it's done. But first, let's understand what a highway is and how it differs from a highway.
What is an Expressway?
A freeway is a road designed specifically for high-speed vehicles. Ramps control the entry and exit of these roads, and they are built so that no other roads intersect them. This is done to prevent accidents. The highway consists of grade separations, ramps, elevated portions, and lane separations. In India, highways generally consist of 6 or 12 lanes. Currently, the Agra Lucknow Expressway is the longest operating expressway in India, with a length of 302 km. These upcoming highways will add more feathers to the road network of India.
How is an Expressway different from a Highway?
Expressways differ from expressways in that they have 4 lanes, while expressways have 6 or 8 lanes. Another difference is that highways control traffic, which means vehicles can enter only from limited places. However, there are many roads that merge with highways at different points. 
1. Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is being developed as part of the Bharatmala Paryujana. It is part of the first phase, which extends over 1,350 kilometers. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) aims to complete the highway by 2023. The specialty of this highway is that every 100 km it will have crash centers for victims who meet accidents and it will have 93 rest stops in all. the tour. In order not to disturb the wildlife of India, the sound of music will be used as horns and sirens. It is also the first expressway to have 12 helipads on the route from Delhi to Mumbai. Four of them will take place in Dausa, six in Sawai Madhopur and two in Kota; The helipads will be used for medical emergencies, defense-related and other activities. The distance between Delhi and Mumbai will be covered in 12.5 hours when the highway is operational.
- The total cost of the project: Rs 1 lakh crore
- The total length of the project: 1350 km
- Lanes: 8, can be expanded to 12
- Speed Limit: 120 Kmph
- Completion deadline: 2023
- Owner of the expressway: NHAI
2. Dwarka Expressway
The first eight lanes elevated the urban expressway in India, linking Mahipalpur in Delhi with Kharki Dawla Toll Plaza, Haryana. Dwarka Expressway will reduce traffic on NH-8 and will be used by 3 passengers per day. It is a project with a length of 29.10 km, 18.9 km in Gurgaon, and 10.1 km in Delhi. The highway uses an intelligent traffic system to provide information on time, delays, speed, traffic accidents, detours, lane changes, and work zone areas. Additionally, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has proposed a metro route along the highway, which is under approval.
- Project estimated cost: Rs 8,662 crores
- Length of the expressway: 29.10 km
- Lanes: 8 lanes + local lane
- Completion deadline: 2022
3. Mumbai Nagpur Expressway
The Samruddhi Mahamarg or Mumbai - Nagpur Expressway, stretching 701 km, will connect 390 villages and ten districts. The main cities it will connect to are Nagpur, Kalyan, Aurangabad, Nashik, Shirdi, Beywandi and Warda. The expressway promises to cut travel time to eight hours between Mumbai and Nagpur. Currently, it takes about 14-15 hours to reach Mumbai from Nagpur and vice versa. It is one of its highways that will allow a maximum speed of 150 km/h. The date of operation of the road was in 2021; However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Maharashtra State Highway Development Corporation (MSRDC) is delaying this. 
- Estimated cost of project: Rs 55,000 crores
- Length of the project: 701 km
- Lanes: 6 lanes
- Completion deadline: December 2021 (Delayed)
- Highway system: Expressways of India
- Highway Authority: Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC)
4. Ganga Expressway
Ganga Expressway is a six-lane expressway project that will connect NH 334 in Meerut with NH 2 Prayagraj Bypass. This expressway will reduce the travel time from 12 hours to 6 hours between Meerut and Prayagraj. It starts at Bijoli village in Meerut and ends at Judapur Dandu village in Prayagraj. It covers major cities like Prayagraj, Meerut, Onau, Baudown, Sambal, Chandiusi, Tilhar, Banjarmao, Raipareli, Hapur and Siana. Once completed, it will be the longest expressway in India.
- Total cost of project: Rs 40,000 crores
- Length of the project: 594 km
- Lanes: 6, expandable to 8 lanes
- Authority: Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA)
- Completion deadline: Expected by 2024
5. Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway
The Delhi - Amritsar - Katra expressway is 650 km from the expressway. It passes through the border from Bahadurgarh in Delhi to Katra in Jammu and Kashmir. The main cities to cover are Nukadar, Amritsar and Gurdaspur. Also, this four-lane highway promotes religious tourism as it connects two holy cities of Hindus and Sikhs, the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple and the Golden Temple. Facilities such as emergency medical trauma centers, on-call ambulances, nearby fire departments, recreational facilities, traffic police, bus bays, truck stops, and restaurants are built on the highway.
- Cost of of Project - Phase 1: Rs 25,000 crore
- Length of project: 650 km (approx.), main expressway’s length: 550 km (approx.)
- Lanes: 4 (expandable to 8)
- Completion date: October 2023
- Authority: National Highway Authority of India
- Highway system: Expressway of India
Read More - Top locations for NRIs to invest in Noida in 2022
6. Ahmedabad Dholera Expressway
The Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway was announced in 2010 but went green in 2019. This four-lane expressway runs between Sardar Patel Ring Road in Sarkhej and Dholera International Airport in Navajam. It also links the Special Investment Region (SIR). Land purchase for this 109 km expressway was completed in 2020 as part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project. The road was built by Sadbhav Engineering, GVH India and DRA Infracon.
- Total cost of project: Rs 3,000 crores (approx)
- Total length of project: 109.019 km
- Lanes: 4
- Completion date: March 2023
- Authority: NHAI
- Project Model: EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction)
7. Bangalore-Chennai Expressway
It is an upcoming major highway in South India. This wide four-lane highway connects Bangalore with Chennai, the two capitals of two central states in South India. The stretch stretches for 260 km between Hoskote and Bangarpet in Karnataka, Palamanier and Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, and Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu. The distance will be reduced by 50 km, and vehicles will be able to travel at a speed of 120 km/h.
- Total cost of project: Rs 17,000 crore
- Project’sTotal Length: 260.85 km
- Lanes: 4 (expandable to 8)
- Completion Deadline: yet to be announced
- Authority: NHAI
8. Patna-Gaya Expressway
- Length: Approximately 100 km
- Cost: Estimated at ₹1,800 crores
- States: Bihar
- Details: This expressway will enhance connectivity between Patna and the religious city of Gaya, facilitating trade, commerce, and tourism in the region.
9. Bundelkhand Highway
Bundelkhand Expressway is a four-lane highway that connects the town of Gonda with the town of Kudrail in Etawah. Its aim is to connect Bundelkhand with Delhi NCR via the Yamuna Expressway. It is a controlled access highway that stretches for 296 km and the estimated cost of the project is Rs 14,716 crore.
- Total cost of project: Rs 14,716 crores
- Total length of project: 296.070 km
- Lanes: 4, can be expanded to 6
- Completion deadline: 2022
10. Purvanchal Highway
Purvanchal Expressway is a 343 km long highway that originates from Chand Sarai village in Lucknow and ends in Ghazipur. It passes through important districts like Barabanki, Amethi, Sultanpur, Ayodhya, Mau and Ambedkarnagar. It also promotes religious tourism in cities like Varanasi, Ayodhya and Gorakhpur.
- Total cost of the project: Rs 22,496 crores
- Total length of the project: 340.824 km
- Lanes: 6
- Completion deadline: 2021 (delayed)
- Project model: Engineering, procurement and construction
Conclusion
These upcoming expressways represent significant investments in India's infrastructure, aiming to improve connectivity, reduce travel times, and support economic growth. With a combined investment of over ₹260,000 crores, these projects are set to transform the transportation landscape in India, benefiting both individuals and businesses across the country.
Also Read: Cabinet approves 8 high-speed road corridors worth Rs 50,655 cr
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