Three Gujarat Packages at the Centre of the Delay
The stalled portion comprises three construction packages on the Vadodara–Virar section in Gujarat—Jujuwa–Gandeva, Karvad–Jujuwa, and Talsari–Karvad—together measuring just 87 kilometres. These packages were awarded in 2021 to Pune-based Roadway Solutions India Infra Ltd (RSIIL).
Despite the modest length of the stretches, less than 20 per cent of the work has been completed even after nearly four years. In contrast, adjoining expressway segments in Gujarat are almost ready for traffic, making the stalled packages a glaring bottleneck.
Contracts Scrapped, Then Re-Awarded
NHAI first terminated two of the three contracts in March 2023, citing prolonged delays and unsatisfactory progress. Fresh tenders were floated, but RSIIL emerged as the lowest bidder once again and was re-awarded the same two packages in November 2023.
This decision has drawn criticism from within government circles. Officials in MoRTH have questioned why a contractor removed for non-performance was allowed to return to the project, particularly when the expressway is a flagship national infrastructure initiative.
NHAI and Contractor Trade Blame
RSIIL has rejected allegations of poor performance, attributing delays to the non-availability of encumbrance-free land. According to the company, construction timelines were repeatedly disrupted due to land handover issues beyond the contractor’s control.
NHAI officials, however, maintain that land acquisition hurdles were largely resolved and blame RSIIL’s execution failures, contractual disputes, and litigation for the slow pace of work. The authority is now considering issuing “cure period” notices, a formal step that could eventually lead to termination or debarment.
Why the Expressway Matters
Once completed, the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway is expected to reduce travel distance to Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port by nearly 180 kilometres. Travel time between Delhi and Mumbai is projected to fall by up to 50 per cent, significantly boosting logistics efficiency and economic activity.
Of the total project cost of ₹1,03,636 crore, around ₹71,718 crore has already been spent. Several sections, including Delhi–Lalsot and parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, are currently operational and witnessing strong traffic volumes.
Governance Questions Loom
The prolonged delay caused by such a small stretch has triggered broader questions about contractor vetting, accountability mechanisms, and procurement rules that prioritise the lowest bid over past performance. Infrastructure experts warn that unless corrective action is taken swiftly, cost overruns and public inconvenience could increase.
As NHAI weighs stricter action against the contractor, the fate of the remaining Gujarat stretches will be crucial in determining when India’s most expensive expressway can finally deliver on its promise of seamless, high-speed connectivity between the national capital and the country’s financial hub.
