New Delhi, January 15, 2026 – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Delhi unit organized a vibrant dahi-chuda sahbhoj (curd and flattened rice feast) event at its party office to mark the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, blending cultural traditions with discussions on key developmental projects. The gathering, attended by prominent leaders including national figures and local functionaries, highlighted optimism about the rapid completion of the ambitious Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, one of India’s flagship infrastructure initiatives under the Bharatmala Pariyojana.

The event featured traditional Purvanchali delicacies like dahi-chuda, khichdi, and tilkut, symbolizing harmony, prosperity, and community bonding during the harvest festival. Party workers and leaders welcomed guests with makhana garlands and festive greetings, underscoring the cultural significance of the day.

This aerial view captures ongoing pillar construction along the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway’s critical DND-Faridabad section, showcasing the massive scale of elevated structures and bridges:Another image highlights the progress on key pillars and interchanges near the Delhi-NCR region, including areas connecting to Noida and Greater Noida corridors:

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva hosted the sahbhoj and extended warm welcomes to attendees, including national BJP working president Nitin Nabin, who was felicitated traditionally. Other dignitaries present included Purvanchal Morcha leaders, senior MPs, and state functionaries. The event emphasized unity within the party and the Purvanchal community’s vital role in Delhi’s socio-economic fabric.Speakers at the gathering expressed confidence that construction on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway would soon accelerate and conclude swiftly. Officials and party leaders noted that key segments, particularly in the Delhi-NCR region, are advancing rapidly despite past minor delays due to approvals for structures like the Agra Canal bridge.

Project Update: Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Progress

The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, spanning approximately 1,350 km (including spurs), is an eight-lane (expandable to 12) access-controlled greenfield highway connecting the national capital to Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT). Designed to slash the current 24-hour road journey to just 12 hours, the project traverses six states: Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

As of early 2026, significant portions are operational, with over 750-800 km already open to traffic, including major stretches in Rajasthan (e.g., Sohna-Dausa-Lalsot and Kota-Bundi links) and parts of Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. The Delhi-Vadodara section is targeted for completion by December 2026, while the Vadodara-Mumbai leg is slated for 2027-28.

A critical focus remains on the DND-Faridabad-KMP spur (59 km), which includes the vital 9 km DND-Jaitpur package in Delhi. This segment has achieved 94.23% physical progress and is scheduled for completion by June 2026, following delays mainly from irrigation department approvals for the Agra Canal crossing. Once operational, it will provide seamless high-speed access from central Delhi to the main expressway, benefiting commuters in Noida, Greater Noida, Faridabad, and beyond.

This conceptual rendering illustrates the planned elevated sections and interchanges along the Delhi-NCR portion of the expressway:

The total project cost exceeds ₹1 lakh crore, with ₹71,718 crore already expended. NHAI has divided the work into 52 packages across multiple contractors, incorporating eco-friendly features like wildlife crossings (especially near tiger reserves), tree plantations, and groundwater recharge systems.

Economic and Social Impact

Leaders at the BJP event described the expressway as a game-changer for logistics, trade, and regional development. It will boost connectivity to emerging hubs like the Noida International Airport (Jewar) via spurs, reduce fuel consumption significantly, and create thousands of jobs during and after construction.

The dahi-chuda sahbhoj served as a platform to reaffirm the BJP’s commitment to infrastructure-led growth, with speakers noting that such mega projects reflect the government’s focus on “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India). As the festival of Makar Sankranti symbolizes new beginnings, party members expressed hope that the expressway’s accelerated pace would usher in faster, safer, and more prosperous journeys for millions.

With steady progress on pillars, bridges, and interchanges in the NCR region, the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway continues to inch closer to realization, promising to transform travel and economic ties between India’s two largest cities.