Govt ramps up efforts to expedite Delhi-Mumbai expressway project

Despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, full efforts are being made to complete the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway project expeditiously, said Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. In the 1,350 km long Delhi-Mumbai Expressway project, 350 km has already been built, and construction work of 825 km is in progress, said Gadkari. He further added that bids have been received or invited for the remaining 163 km length, and these remaining works are likely to be given in the current year. The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is estimated to be completed by January 2023. Gadkari said that at present, the construction of seven expressways having a length of 2,507 km has been taken up, out of which 440 km construction has been completed. He said that the ministry has announced detailed guidelines dated June 3, 2020, for providing relief due to the ongoing pandemic. He further added that the ministry has announced guidelines for compulsory utilisation of waste plastic in periodic renewal coat of pavement on National Highways and also in wearing course of service roads within 50 km boundary of urban areas having five lakhs or more population. He said at present, 149 fee plazas on state highways and 701 fee plazas on National Highways have been approved, with Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) infrastructure. Through FASTag a total amount of Rs 52,386.58 crore has been collected till July 11, 2021. Image Source Also read: Pune-Nashik highway bypass is completed, Nitin Gadkari shares images Also read: Delhi-Jaipur stretch set to become India's first e-highway