India boasts a comprehensive network of expressways, stretching for an impressive 5,930 kilometers, with an additional 11,700 kilometers in the pipeline to greatly improve the quality of long-haul vehicle travel. Among these projects, there are twelve National Expressways, which stand out due to their inclusion of the renowned Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, and a series of 32 State Expressways, both operational and in progress. Uttar Pradesh emerges as leading the pack with six expressways currently in service and seven more underway, securing it the distinction of having the most expressways with a total of thirteen.Expressways in India are considered superior to regular highways, providing regulated access at their entrances to prevent accidents and minimize disruptions to the flow of traffic.This article aims to provide readers with insights into the ten most significant expressways in India, highlighting their importance. The Delhi Mumbai Expressway, covering a whopping 577 kilometers out of a grand total of 1,450 kilometers, stands as a significant milestone in India's road network. This project is designed to shorten the travel time between the iconic cities of Delhi and Mumbai from a grueling 24 hours to just 12 hours. Its creation was inaugurated in 2019 by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, driven by the vision to transform the road connection between these two crucial cities: Delhi, the hub of governance, and Mumbai, our leading financial center.The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, set to be fully operational soon for all vehicles, is nearing completion on the last stretch of its construction. This massive expressway is set to be India's longest, featuring all the essential amenities along the way to make the journey comfortable and convenient, including rest stops, cafes, and various shops and services.The expressway will span across the states of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, covering the entire 1,450 kilometers stretch. Designed with a 8-lane layout, it has the potential to expand to 12 lanes in the future.Purvanchal Expressway starts from the Gosaiganj near Lucknow and ends near Muhammadabad in Ghazipur, terminating its road infrastructure magnificence of 340 km. In Gosaiganj, this expressway quits into NH731 and in Ghazipur, the journey on the Purvanchal Expressway ends on NH31. It is an entirely functioning and one of the Expressways in India furnishing speedy and secure vehicular movement to the capital city Lucknow of India's most populated state from its low-key districts such as Sultanpur, Azamgarh, Ghazipur, Mau and Balia.
The construction of the Purvanchal Expressway was initiated in 2018 and was concluded in November 2021. It is the longest expressway in Uttar Pradesh that is active. The six-lane access-controlled motorway can be extended to 8 lanes in future and is materialised and preserved by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA). Its foundation stone was laid down in 2015 state's former CM Mr Akhilesh Yadav, and, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon its culmination in 2021.
Launched in 2012, the Yamuna Expressway was the initiative of the then Chief Minister of UP, Akhilesh Yadav, that significantly cut travel times between Greater Noida and Agra by 65%, linking several districts in Western Uttar Pradesh to Delhi and the National Capital Region. Operated by YEIDA, the expressway spans 165.567 km, costing more than Rs 22000 crores, and accommodates over a quarter of a million daily vehicles, alleviating congestion on NH2 or Mathura Road.Looking ahead, the expressway's six-lane configuration could be expanded to up to eight lanes, enhancing the connectivity between cities like Noida, Jewar, Vrindavan, Hathras, Mathura, and Agra.In India, the Yamuna Expressway currently ranks sixth among the longest expressways, boasting 31 service roads for safe and secure access to essential locations along its path.In 2015, the expressway facilitated an exciting test when a Dassault Mirage 2000 made a historic landing there to evaluate its suitability for emergency fighter jet landings.Delhi Meerut Expressway is one of the most busiest and is officially the widest expressway in India, having 14 lanes stretching up to Dasna. The need for the Delhi Meerut Expressway was first mentioned in 1999 in the parliament and was proposed officially in 2005. Delhi Meerut expressway in India was completed in 2021 with the inauguration of the Dasna to Meerut Package and it was built by the central government.
The total estimated cost of building this 96km road infrastructure project was between Rs 8,000 to 10,000 crores, divided into four packages.
The Mumbai Pune expressway sees the passage of over 50,000 vehicles every single day, ranking it among the most actively used expressways in the country. This stretch of road was completed in 2001 and spans a length of 94 kilometers, enhancing the journey's appeal with its scenic views along the route connecting the two major cities of Maharashtra - Mumbai and Pune.Pune is recognized as a cultural hub within Maharashtra, and Mumbai has established itself as the economic powerhouse of the nation. Therefore, the expressway provides a direct, high-speed connection of up to 100 kilometers between these two financial frontrunners in Maharashtra, enhancing the accessibility for both cities.The Mumbai Pune expressway is celebrated for its natural beauty, navigating through hills and passing through several well-known places like Panvel, Khandala, Lonavala, Talegaon, etc. The management of this expressway falls under the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation.Eastern Peripheral Expressway
Eastern Peripheral Expressway is built to ease the traffic on the Ghaziabad-Faridabad stretch and reduce the entry of over 50,000 trucks reducing the heavy vehicular pollution significantly in the national capital. In length, the Eastern Peripheral or KGP (Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal) expressway is 135 kilometres and is connected to the Western Peripheral Expressway on both sides, forming a ring road around the Delhi Metro City to ease the congestion by vehicles that are meant to skip the Delhi City and other major hotspots such as Gurgaon, Noida and Faridabad.
The EPE road infrastructure project’s foundation was laid down by the prime minister of India Narendra Modi in 2015 and was estimated to be built at around 11,000 crores in Indian Rupees. In 2018, the 135 km expressway in India was inaugurated and it is lashed with several state-of-the-art security and safety features such as electronic & closed tolling systems, weigh-in-motion sensors, cameras to check vehicles' speed, 4,000 kilowatts solar capacity plants, lakhs of trees plantation etc.
Western Peripheral Expressway
The WPE Expressway stands among the premier expressways in India, featuring six lanes and spans an impressive distance of 136 kilometers. This project, a significant milestone in road development, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, generating widespread excitement. This western fringe expressway, better known by its number, KMP (Kundli-Manesar-Palwal), links Kundli in Sonipat to Palwal. It traverses through Sonipat, Jhajjar, Manesar, Sohna, and Palwal.
Furthermore, a proposal has been put forward for a Delhi Metro line to be constructed along this stretch, as part of the DMRC phase V.
Upon its completion in 2018, the entire expressway was opened to the public, marking the conclusion of its construction in the year. This exclusive expressway ranks among the top 10 in India and is a key component of the Delhi Rig Road initiative, designed with the objective of alleviating congestion in Delhi and its neighboring areas by reducing the influx of unnecessary vehicles that significantly contribute to air pollution in the Delhi NCR region.
Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway
Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway is a 94 km long road infrastructure, also known as Mahatma Gandhi Road, and connects the two biggest cities in the Gujarat state, Ahmedabad and Vadodara, helping business activities. This expressway was opened for public use in 2002 and is an access-controlled expressway. Although the expressway has only 2 lanes on each of the sides, the construction work to extend it to 6 lanes has been going on for several years.
It is maintained by NHAI and was built at an estimated cost of 475 crores in 2002. Two-wheeler entry is banned on this expressway to prevent unwarranted road accidents. Among the top fastest expressways in India, the Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway goes through Nadiad and Anand cities along the route.
The Bundelkhand Expressway, spanning 296 kilometers and designed with controlled access, was inaugurated in 2022 by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Originally announced in 2017, this ambitious project has been pivotal in enhancing connectivity for various districts, bridging the gap between the north and south of the densely populated state of Uttar Pradesh.
Directly linked to this expressway are the following areas: Etawah, Jalaun, Hamiprur, Mahoba, Banda, and Chitrakoot. The completion of one of India's longest expressways was a moment of great celebration and garnered widespread attention for several reasons.
The maintenance of the Bundelkhand Expressway falls under the purview of UPEIDA. The total cost for building this modern highway has exceeded Rs 14,000 crores.
Mumbai Nagpur Expressway is an under-construction project in Maharashtra state and is to be maintained by MDRDC. This 6-lane expressway can be expanded to 8 lanes in future and is access-controlled for safe and secure vehicle movements. It in total covers 10 districts of Maharashtra: Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati, Washim, Budhana, Jalna, Chattrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Ahmednagar, Nashik and Thane.
This is one of the top 10 expressways in India and also one of the longest as well, having a length of 701 km in total, offering high-speed driving experience on its access-controlled 6-lane roads.
The aforementioned districts that the Mumbai Nagpur Expressway, officially known as Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Sammrusddhi Road, covers will benefit from the elevation of business activities.