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-   -   Delhi-Mumbai expressway to reduce travel time by 12 hours (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street-experiences/197792-delhi-mumbai-expressway-reduce-travel-time-12-hours-16.html)

As per this video Package 12-14 of Delhi Mumbai Expressway has opened.

https://youtu.be/kST-mdA5FFM?si=Cjwde2a7GVBdwEdw

So I travelled from Ranthambhore to Mumbai on 21st December 2024. Officially, the DME has opened from Chechat to Thandla interchange. However, got to know from truck drivers that they are allowing to climb onto the DME from Laban itself (which is around 50 kms from Sawai Madhopur). The Google Maps doesn’t show the entry point from Laban yet, however, one can put Laban in G Maps and once you are about to reach Laban the locals there will help you reach the entry point of DME. Also, there is one sign board also 2kms before the entry point. All in all, I saved around 2 hours of time by traveling on this newly opened section of DME.

This section is barricaded 5kms before Mukundra hills section, as it is yet to be completed. We need to get down at this point and again can access the expressway from Chechat which is around 25 kms.

That can be a new and faster route for travel between Ahmedabad - Delhi. We can get off at Ahmedabad- Indore Highway around Masuriya and join the NE4 at Thandla interchange.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZwGR5aBmu41jF3fc8

Yes, google currently shows almost same time for both the routes. However, it is not taking into account the section opened between Mukundra hills and Laban. It will definitely save two more hours than the time mentioned in the link.

Chechat (60 km after Kota) to Thandla (current exit for Vadodara, also Ahmedabad although longer route) has been opened for more than a year. Recently Gopalpura (connecting to Kota Jhansi highway NH-52) and Leban (30 km after Swai Madhopur exit) has been opened. This would be of some help to people connecting to/from Thandla.

The challenge lies between Gopalpura and Chechat as expressway passes through Mukundra Forest Reserve and has a tunnel. Even the NH-52 (part of East West Corridor) is 2 lanned in this stretch due to forest section and has a bottleneck in form of culvert, wherein only one truck can cross at a time. It’s most beautiful section as well.

Another surprising thing about this expressway is that 90% of pending work is in Gujarat and Maharashtra (probably they do not care about this connectivity as they already have multiple connections and this expressway is far away from Ahmedabad and even Surat for that matter. Although I personally think that Mumbai- Gujarat section of this expressway would be busiest. The current route NH-48 is overwhelmed.

Do you recollect how long it took roughly from Ranthambhore till Thandla?

When I started from Ranthambhore there was thick dense fog which hampered my visibility and the speed. However, it can be done in 6 hours, I feel. Also, now if you search on Google Maps Ranthambhore to Thandla Interchange it shows through Laban route. So you will get near accurate results from G Maps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knFV49HW4yk

Progress regarding the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. Some sections have no work on them at all and according the video, the whole expressway might take more 5-6 years to complete which looking at the video, looks like a fair bit of ask.

Marketing and actual progress are two different deals. We are currently working as a country only on the first one.

I took this route on 25th Dec while going from Delhi to Bhopal and this section is operational and superb.
The first section ends at Lalsot and you have to exit and re-enter the expressway (and pay tolls) to head towards Sawai Madhopur.
From Sawai Madhopur exit, you have to go to Kushtala and take the Lalsot-Kota Highway for 56km to Laban. This is an undivided road and you can expect moderate traffic including trucks. It passes through an industrial area that prides itself in being the first 'Cement Nagri' of Rajasthan. There's also a railway crossing on which a bridge is being built (you can take it to save time). The road from Laban to expressway is prominent and you can't miss it. Getting to the correct lane through the cloverleaf will need some attention as signages are not complete.

From here to Gopal Pura is 84km of pure bliss and no amenities. There was no toll as it is under trial run. Night driving is not advisable as it may not be safe. As soon as you exit the expressway near Gopal pura, there are some dhabas/resorts with decent washrooms.

PS: I was able to go from Gurgaon to Bhopal in 11hrs 30mins (driving time 10hr 15mins) thanks to the expressway. Route taken: Gurgaon-Sawai Madhopur- Gopal Pura (Kota)- Jhalawar-Aklera-Biaora-Bhopal

Why exit and immediately re-enter at Lalsot? Is it not done at Lalsot? It was this way even 18 mths ago.


Why? Is Sawai Madhopur to Laban stretch not completed?

The bridge on Expressway at Lalsot interchange is not completed hence exit and re-entry.

No. I think there is a tunnel work pending.

Hi,
Thanks for sharing this. I’m driving from Nagpur to Delhi this week and gmaps is suggesting Ngp-Bhopal-Jhalawar-Gopal pura-DME-Gurgaon instead of regular nap-sagar-agra-Delhi

How is the road condition from Gopal pura to Bhopal? Is it four lane with dividers?

I drove on DME from Gurgaon until gopalpura on 21st dec towards Indore and it’s smooth as butter.

I also follow this you tube channel. He is very comprehensive. And I also somewhat agree to his view points. Many sections in GJ/MH have a lot to complete. I definitely see some years in the making for the expressway to be completely functional.

Another case in point: If we look at Surat-Chennai Expressway progress it's on similar lines. From the MH/KA border the construction is full on in progress towards to Raichur/Kurnool and beyond. And past the border there into MH is absolutely nothing done. I understand there may other aspects at play like Environmental clearance. But I am not sure how strong that synergy is for operations across states. Shouldn't that be equal footing?

There are so many sections of roads in this country which used to be absolutely enjoyable. Like Mumbai Ahmedabad, Mumbai-Nashik, Mumbai, Bangalore, now all of them are dreadful.

Gadkari on 13th December 2024 said

Addressing a media event, Gadkari further said that construction of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is expected to be completed within two months.

Link-->https://www.hindustantimes.com/india...090499128.html

What lies and deceit with the Indian Public.

I also diligently follow his YT channel :). What is not very clear from this update is whether the 87 kms stretch that this video covers is the only problem stretch in the entire Delhi-Mumbai expressway project. As per Droneman, this entire 87 kms stretch is given to one contractor namely "Roadway Solutions India Infra". If this contractor is incompetent, they should be immediately replaced. One delinquent contractor should not be let to hold the entire project to ransom. This should not become another Simplex, nightmares of which still haunt Bengalurians.