Dwarka Expressway – Current Status and Completion Date
The Dwarka Expressway, also known as the National Highway 248-BB, was planned to facilitate faster and smoother travel between Delhi and Gurugram. This 8-lane high-speed expressway spans over 34.10 km, providing an alternative to the already present Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway. It is an access-controlled highway with a route alignment connecting Mahipalpur (Shiv Murti) in Delhi with Kherki Dhaula via New Gurgaon (Gurugram) in Haryana.
Last Year, the 18.9 Km stretch of the Dwarka Expressway (in Haryana) was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 11, 2024. The remaining part of the Expressway that falls in Delhi, is still under construction and facing delays in being operational for public use. However, the whole project was estimated to be completed till December 2024, but some areas were still underdeveloped by the time of writing this blog. And dates can be extended a little longer.
The entire development is divided into five packages. Notably, packages 3 and 4 lie in Haryana and are fully operational. However, the remaining three packages, named 1, 2, and 5 are either under construction or awaiting approvals or facing delays due to re-tender complications. Let’s understand the remaining packages one by one.
Package 1: From IGI Airport and Shiv Murti at Mahipalpur to Bijwasan Road Underbridge (RUB)
Package 1 of the Dwarka Expressway project encompasses a 5.90-kilometer stretch, commencing near the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and the prominent Shiv Murti at Mahipalpur, extending to the Bijwasan Road Underbridge (RUB). This segment is being developed by J Kumar Infraprojects. A significant feature of this section is a 3.6-kilometer deep tunnel running beneath the airport runway, designed to facilitate uninterrupted traffic flow and enhance connectivity between South Delhi and West Delhi. Notably, this stretch will integrate into the upcoming Urban Extension Road II (UER II) Expressway on Delhi’s west and serve as the western terminus of the forthcoming Rangpuri Bypass, thereby linking it to Vasant Kunj at Nelson Mandela Marg.
Package 2: From Bijwasan RUB to Delhi-Haryana Border
Spanning 4.2 kilometers, Package 2 extends from the Bijwasan Road Underbridge to the Delhi-Haryana border. Also entrusted to J Kumar Infraprojects (JKIL) under a contract worth ₹1,540 crore, this segment is pivotal in connecting the expressway to the under-construction international exhibition-cum-convention center (ECC) in Dwarka’s Sector 25. This linkage is anticipated to bolster accessibility to the ECC, thereby promoting economic and commercial activities in the region.
Package 5: Airport Connectivity from Dwarka Expressway – Tunnel to Terminal 3
Package 5 is a dedicated initiative aimed at enhancing airport connectivity by constructing a 5-kilometer, four-lane tunnel from the Dwarka Expressway directly to Terminal 3 (T3) of the IGI Airport. This tunnel is designed to provide commuters from areas such as Vasant Kunj and Munirka with swift and direct access to the airport, thereby significantly reducing travel time. As of the latest updates, the contractor for this package has not been assigned, and the tender notice is pending.
Conclusion:
The Dwarka Expressway is a crucial infrastructure project that promises to ease congestion and enhance connectivity between Delhi and Gurugram. While the Haryana section is fully operational, the remaining stretches in Delhi are still under development. With ongoing construction, approvals, and re-tendering processes, delays are inevitable. However, once fully completed, this expressway will significantly improve travel efficiency and boost regional growth. Stay tuned for further updates on its progress!