A stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway has come under scrutiny after a viral post on X raised concerns over construction quality on parts of the high-profile corridor. The expressway, one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, triggered debate after a user shared their travel experience, pointing to what they described as poor road conditions.
In the widely circulated post, the user alleged that certain sections of the expressway appeared substandard. They noted that vehicles tend to bump at speeds of around 120 km/h and claimed that parts of the cemented surface had deteriorated. The user further remarked that the condition of the road could make even a competent engineer uneasy, describing it as an instance of money being spent on subpar infrastructure. The post also suggested that such experiences could dampen enthusiasm among infrastructure supporters in the country.
Responding to the criticism, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) clarified that the visuals and complaints pertain to a specific 25-kilometre stretch between Kim and Bharuch in Gujarat. The authority emphasised that this segment is still under construction and does not reflect the overall quality of the expressway.
NHAI explained that the Bharuch-Surat section has been divided into multiple construction packages. While Packages 4, 6, and 7 are fully operational and offer smooth driving conditions, the stretch in question—Package 5—was opened temporarily on a trial basis from January 10, 2026. This decision was taken to ease congestion in the Bharuch-Ankleshwar belt and reduce traffic load on NH-48.
Officials acknowledged that improvement work is ongoing in the affected section, including panel rectification to enhance surface quality. They also highlighted that safety measures such as “Go Slow” signage and traffic management systems are in place.
In essence, while the concerns raised online highlight genuine issues on a limited stretch, authorities maintain that it is a temporary situation and corrective steps are already underway.
Source: NDTV
