New Delhi: The Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway project, one of the major highway infrastructure projects being developed by the Government of India, is progressing in multiple phases across Haryana, Punjab, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways informed the Rajya Sabha on March 11, 2026.

Replying to a question, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Jairam Gadkari said the 667-km-long expressway is being constructed in several sections, out of which multiple stretches in Haryana have already been completed, while work on several sections in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir is at advanced stages.

According to the Ministry, the first four sections in Haryana, with a total length of about 120 km, have been completed, while another section passing through Haryana and Punjab has reached over 99 percent physical progress and is expected to be completed by March 2026.

In Punjab, progress varies across different stretches. Some sections have crossed 90 percent completion, while a few contracts were foreclosed and fresh bids have been invited for the remaining work. One section that started in February 2025 is scheduled for completion in February 2027. Work on the Amritsar spur is also underway, with one stretch expected to be completed by March 2028, while another package is under rebidding.

In the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, most sections are above 80 percent completion, and several stretches are likely to be completed between June 2026 and October 2026.

The Ministry stated that the Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway is designed to provide faster connectivity between major destinations and is expected to reduce the travel distance between Delhi and Amritsar/Katra by about 40 km. After completion, travel time is expected to be reduced to around five hours between Delhi and Amritsar and about seven hours between Delhi and Katra.

The expressway will connect key cities including Rohtak and Jind in Haryana; Sangrur, Malerkotla, Patiala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, and Gurdaspur in Punjab; and Kathua and Jammu in Jammu & Kashmir. The project is also expected to improve connectivity to religious destinations, boost industrial transport in Punjab and Haryana, and promote tourism in Jammu & Kashmir.

The Government said the expressway will help decongest existing National Highways, reduce traffic bottlenecks, lower vehicle operating costs, and contribute to overall economic development in the region. DeshBharat