Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Criticised For Poor Quality Online, NHAI Calls It Temporary Issue

A social media post on X has sparked a debate over the construction quality of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, one of India's most ambitious road infrastructure projects. The controversy began after a user shared their experience of travelling on a section of the expressway, raising concerns about its poor condition.

In the now-viral post, the user claimed that certain parts of the expressway were in poor condition and suggested that the quality of construction was disappointing. The user remarked that there are some stretches where the car bumps when driven around 120 km/h, and the cement has crumbled in places. Further, the user stated that the road condition could make a competent engineer uncomfortable, and described the situation as an example of money being spent on substandard infrastructure, adding that it could discourage infrastructure enthusiasts in the country.

I've been on the Delhi Mumbai Expressway. Some parts are so bad that it will make a competent engineer hide in shame. When history is written, BJP's greatest failure will be burning tons of money for shabby infra. And killing the spirit of every infra-enthusiast in India. pic.twitter.com/slOfHuryhb

— Vishal Bhargava (@VishalBhargava5) March 17, 2026

Responding to the claims, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) issued a clarification, stating that the visuals and complaints relate specifically to a 25-kilometre stretch between Kim and Bharuch in Gujarat. According to the authority, this section is still under development and is not representative of the overall expressway quality.

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NHAI further explained that the Bharuch-Surat segment has been divided into multiple construction packages. Out of these, Packages 4, 6, and 7 are already operational and offer satisfactory driving conditions. However, Package 5 - the stretch highlighted in the viral post - was opened temporarily on a trial basis starting January 10, 2026, to reduce congestion in the Bharuch-Ankleshwar region and ease traffic pressure on NH-48.

The authority acknowledged that improvement work is ongoing in this specific section. Measures such as panel rectification are currently being carried out to enhance the road surface and ensure smoother travel. NHAI also noted that safety precautions have been put in place, including "Go Slow" signage and traffic management systems to regulate vehicle movement.

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In simple terms, while the user's complaint points to genuine issues on a particular stretch, officials say that this portion is still being worked on and was only opened temporarily to manage traffic. They maintain that most parts of the expressway are functioning well, and the identified problems are already being addressed.