India's Second Longest Expressway Is Being Built Over 500 Km Of Desert Terrain

Everyone is aware of the construction of the country’s longest expressway between Delhi and Mumbai. However, the second longest expressway bridges two cities separated by hundreds of kilometres of desert. What makes this expressway unique is its path through the desert, set to be finished by December next year.

Once operational, travel time between these commercially vital cities will be halved, significantly cutting travel costs. This expressway, stretching from Amritsar in Punjab to Jamnagar in Gujarat, covers a distance of 1,316 km, just shy of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway’s 1,350 km. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) aims to complete it by December 2025, with a significant portion already finished.

This industrially significant expressway will traverse hundreds of kilometres of desert across Rajasthan and Haryana. Its impact extends beyond everyday commuters to encompass substantial benefits for businesses. By directly linking industrial hubs around Amritsar with those in Gujarat, it promises to enhance connectivity and economic activities. Approximately 500 kilometres of the expressway’s route will cut through Rajasthan, a significant portion of which crosses sandy terrain.

The current distance from Amritsar to Jamnagar is 1,516 km, which takes about 26 hours to cover. With the construction of the new expressway, the distance will also be reduced by 216 km and the travel time will be reduced by half to just 13 hours. The biggest reason for this will be the increase in speed because vehicles can be driven at a speed of 100 kmph on the expressway.

The people of Delhi-NCR will also benefit from the Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway. This will provide direct connectivity to the people of Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat. This expressway will also be linked to the Delhi-Katra Expressway.

Furthermore, this expressway will facilitate easier access from Gujarat to Kashmir. It will notably benefit the cities of Amritsar, Bhatinda, Moga, Hanumangarh, Suratgarh, Bikaner, Nagaur, Jodhpur, Barmer, and Jamnagar, connecting them seamlessly along its route.