Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Dahod Package-26 Still Incomplete After Four Years, 22% Work Remains

Yugcharan News / 01-09-2026

The construction of Package-26 of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Dahod district remains incomplete more than four years after work began, raising concerns over the pace at which one of the country’s most important highway corridors is being developed in Gujarat. The 32.07-kilometre stretch, being built from the Madhya Pradesh border to Bhanpura in Limkheda taluka, is a crucial link in the wider Delhi-Mumbai Expressway network.

The package was undertaken in July 2022 at an estimated cost of around ₹2,150 crore. According to the available project information, approximately 78 per cent of the work has been completed, while nearly 22 per cent is still pending. Difficult terrain, construction-related challenges and reported opposition from sections of local tribal communities have contributed to delays.

The project was originally targeted for completion by January 2026. However, that deadline has passed, and the section is yet to become fully operational. Based on the current pace of construction, the remaining work could take another five to six months, although the eventual completion schedule will depend on construction progress and other project-related factors.

Important Link in the Delhi-Mumbai Corridor

The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is among India’s major highway infrastructure projects and is intended to provide faster connectivity between the national capital and Mumbai while reducing travel time and improving freight movement. The Dahod section is particularly significant because it connects different packages of the expressway and forms an important part of the Gujarat portion of the corridor.

Package-26 covers approximately 32.07 kilometres between the Madhya Pradesh border and Bhanpura. Work on the package began in July 2022, with the construction contract reportedly awarded to Atlas Construction Company.

Despite substantial progress, several critical components remain unfinished. This means that completing the remaining civil and associated infrastructure works is essential before the entire stretch can function as intended.

One of the major unfinished areas is around the Mirakhedi interchange, which is expected to serve as an important entry and exit point for Dahod district. The approach bridge connecting nearby villages to the interchange has not yet been completed. Work on roads leading toward the interchange is also pending in certain locations.

A toll plaza structure has already been constructed at the interchange. However, the presence of the structure alone does not mean that the interchange is ready for full-scale traffic operations. Several supporting works still need to be completed before the facility can become fully functional.

Safety and Finishing Work Yet to Be Completed

Apart from major road and bridge construction, a number of safety and passenger-related facilities are also awaiting completion.

These reportedly include crash barriers, CCTV surveillance systems, speed-control cameras, signboards and facilities such as a refreshment area. In some locations, foundation-related work is still underway, while other sections require final finishing.

Lane marking is another part of the remaining work. Final road markings, including bitumen-related lane marking and other finishing activities, have not been completed across all portions of the package.

Such facilities are important for the safe operation of a high-speed expressway. Once the road is opened to traffic, drivers will depend heavily on proper signage, lane markings, crash barriers and surveillance systems to navigate the corridor safely.

Hatiyavan Hill Cutting Emerges as Major Challenge

Among the most difficult sections of Package-26 is the Hatiyavan hill area after the Mirakhedi interchange. The terrain in this region has posed significant engineering challenges, with hill-cutting work continuing for an extended period.

Construction teams have reportedly been using heavy machinery, including excavators, heavy breakers and other equipment, to cut through the mountainous terrain and create the required alignment for the expressway.

In some areas, the hill has to be cut to a depth of more than 100 feet to create the necessary road formation. Such work requires careful excavation and stabilization because the expressway has to meet engineering and safety standards while passing through challenging terrain.

Blasting has also reportedly been used at certain locations to remove hard rock and accelerate excavation. The scale and complexity of the work make this portion considerably more difficult than construction on relatively flat terrain.

Some bridge-related work also remains pending in the area. In addition, shifting of high-tension electricity lines has been necessary in certain locations before road construction could proceed.

The combination of mountainous terrain, utility shifting and bridge construction has added to the complexity of the project.

January 2026 Deadline Missed

The original completion target for Package-26 was January 2026. However, as of September 2026, the section remains unfinished.

The delay is significant because the expressway is being developed as an integrated corridor. Even when individual packages are substantially complete, an incomplete connecting section can prevent continuous movement across the larger network.

The current estimate suggests that another five to six months could be required to finish the remaining activities. However, this should be treated as an indicative timeline rather than a confirmed commissioning date unless formally announced by the concerned authorities.

The delay also highlights the difficulties involved in executing large infrastructure projects across areas with challenging geography and local land and community-related concerns.

Impact on Package-25

The delay in Package-26 has also affected the utilization of the adjacent Package-25.

The Package-25 stretch, extending from the Timbavani interchange in Madhya Pradesh toward the Gujarat border, was reportedly completed almost two years ago. However, because the connecting portion toward the Mirakhedi interchange under Package-26 remains incomplete, the completed infrastructure cannot be used to its full potential as part of a continuous expressway route.

This illustrates an important aspect of large highway projects: the operational readiness of one package often depends on the completion of adjoining packages.

Once the relevant section of Package-26, particularly the connection toward Mirakhedi, is completed and cleared for traffic, the Package-25 stretch can potentially become more useful to motorists travelling toward Dahod and other parts of Gujarat.

Other Dahod Sections Already Operational

While Package-26 continues to face delays, other portions of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in the broader Dahod region have made progress.

The approximately 40-kilometre stretches covered under Packages 27 and 28, extending from Bhanpura in Limkheda toward Godhra, have reportedly been opened for vehicular movement.

This means that parts of the corridor in the region are already available for traffic, while Package-26 remains a missing link.

The differing status of adjacent packages underlines the importance of completing the remaining construction in Package-26. Once the delayed section is ready, connectivity between the completed portions could become substantially more seamless.

What Remains Before Full Operation

For Package-26 to become fully operational, the authorities and contractors will need to complete several categories of work. These include the remaining highway construction, approach roads and bridges, hill-cutting activities, safety infrastructure, road markings, signage, surveillance equipment and other associated facilities.

The Mirakhedi interchange is particularly important because it is expected to provide a key connection for local traffic. Its approach bridge and connecting roads therefore remain among the notable components requiring completion.

The Hatiyavan hill section is another major priority because of the engineering challenges involved. Progress in this area could have a direct bearing on the final completion timeline.

At the same time, local concerns and land or community-related issues will need to be addressed wherever they continue to affect construction.

A Critical Test for the Corridor

The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is designed to improve long-distance road connectivity and support faster movement of passengers and freight between major economic centres. For Gujarat, the corridor is expected to strengthen links between the state and both northern and western parts of the country.

Against this backdrop, the prolonged delay in Dahod's Package-26 has become an important infrastructure issue. With nearly four-fifths of the work reportedly complete, the focus now shifts to finishing the remaining 22 per cent and ensuring that the completed infrastructure meets all required safety and quality standards before opening.

The coming months will therefore be crucial for the project. If the pending bridges, hill-cutting, road works, safety installations and finishing activities progress as expected, the long-delayed section could move closer to commissioning.

Until then, Package-26 will continue to remain one of the unfinished links in the Gujarat portion of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, despite work having started more than four years ago.