A new 157-kilometre stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is expected to open by next week, improving road connectivity between Gujarat and Maharashtra and providing an alternative route for traffic currently using the old NH-48. The new section will extend from the Navsari side towards areas around Palghar and Virar, according to the information reported in the source material.

The opening is expected to be particularly useful for motorists travelling between southern Gujarat and parts of Maharashtra. The stretch will bypass several busy areas, including Vapi, Valsad and Dahanu, before connecting towards the Palghar-Virar region. However, the development should not be interpreted as the entire Delhi-Mumbai Expressway becoming operational as one continuous route.

New 157-Km Stretch

The upcoming section will add around 157 km to the operational network of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. The route is expected to provide a faster alternative for traffic travelling between Gujarat and Maharashtra, while also reducing dependence on existing highway corridors.

The new connectivity will cover the route beyond Navsari and provide access towards the Palghar and Virar areas. Once opened, commuters are expected to have an additional high-speed road option for inter-state travel.

Relief for NH-48 Traffic

One of the key expected benefits of the new stretch is a reduction in traffic pressure on NH-48, the existing highway that carries significant traffic between Gujarat and Maharashtra.

The expressway is designed to divert a portion of long-distance traffic away from older and more congested road corridors. For motorists travelling towards Mumbai and surrounding areas, the additional expressway connectivity could make journeys more predictable, particularly on busy stretches of the existing highway.

Full Delhi-Mumbai Route Not Yet Complete

Despite the upcoming opening, the entire Delhi-Mumbai Expressway route is not yet available as one uninterrupted expressway corridor.

A substantial portion between Delhi and Vadodara is already operational. However, some sections between Vadodara and Navsari are still under development. As a result, motorists travelling from Delhi towards Mumbai may still need to use a combination of the expressway and existing highways on certain portions of the journey.

The opening of the new section beyond Navsari is therefore an important step, but it does not mean that the complete Vadodara-Mumbai section has become fully operational.

Areas Likely to Benefit

The new stretch is expected to improve connectivity for several areas along the Gujarat-Maharashtra corridor. Travellers from Navsari, Vapi and Valsad will gain an additional high-speed road connection towards Maharashtra.

Further south, the route is expected to benefit travellers heading towards Dahanu, Palghar and Virar, while also improving connectivity towards the Mumbai region.

The bypassing of urban and heavily trafficked sections could help long-distance vehicles avoid some of the congestion associated with existing road routes.

Impact on Gujarat-Maharashtra Travel

The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is being developed as a major road corridor connecting the national capital with Mumbai through several states. The project is intended to reduce travel time, improve logistics connectivity and create alternative routes for long-distance traffic.

The latest stretch, once opened, will strengthen the connection between southern Gujarat and northern Maharashtra. It could also provide benefits for commercial vehicles and freight movement between the two states.

What Commuters Should Know

Travellers should keep in mind that the 157-km stretch is expected to open soon, but the complete Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is not yet a continuous operational corridor from Delhi to Mumbai.

Motorists planning long-distance journeys should check the latest traffic and road-opening information before travelling. Once additional sections become operational, connectivity between different parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra is expected to improve further.

India’s First Free Flow Toll System Goes Live on NH-48 Near Surat

India’s first multi-lane free flow toll system begins operations on NH-48, enabling barrier-free toll collection and faster vehicle movement without stopping.

Barrier-free tolling begins

In a first for the country, India’s multi-lane free flow toll system has gone live on a key stretch of National Highway-48 near Surat, marking a shift away from conventional toll plazas with physical barriers. The system has been activated at the Choryasi toll point on the busy Kamrej–Choryasi section, connecting Surat and Bharuch.

The rollout follows a trial phase that began on February 2, with officials indicating that the system is now fully operational after weeks of calibration and testing.

Tech-led highway upgrade

The new system is built on Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) technology and has been deployed by the National Highways Authority of India as part of a broader push to modernise toll collection.

The initiative falls under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ larger plan to digitise highway infrastructure. According to officials, more than 1,000 toll plazas across India are expected to transition to similar AI-enabled, barrier-less systems over the next two years.

How vehicles are charged

Unlike traditional toll booths, there are no gates or stoppages. Vehicles continue moving at normal speeds while toll charges are automatically deducted.

The system relies on a mix of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and FASTag-based RFID technology. High-resolution cameras mounted on overhead gantries capture number plates, while sensors read FASTag data linked to bank accounts.

Once verified, the toll amount is deducted instantly. For vehicles without an active FASTag, the system identifies the number plate and generates an electronic notice to the registered owner.

‘No need to stop’

Officials say the key idea is simple: remove stoppages entirely. According to the NHAI, vehicles can pass through toll points at speeds of up to 80 km/h without slowing down.

“This barrier-less tolling does not require vehicles to stop. There are no barriers, and toll is deducted automatically as vehicles pass under the gantry,” a senior official familiar with the rollout said.

The move is expected to significantly reduce waiting time, particularly on high-traffic corridors like NH-48, where queues at toll plazas have long been a concern.

Impact on traffic flow

Early observations suggest smoother traffic movement along the stretch, especially during peak hours. Local commuters and transport operators have reported shorter travel times, though authorities say a detailed assessment will follow after a few weeks of full-scale operation.

Reduced idling at toll plazas is also expected to cut fuel consumption. Government estimates suggest that nationwide adoption of such systems could lead to savings of around ₹1,500 crore annually.

Tracking violations digitally

While barriers are gone, enforcement remains strict. Vehicles with insufficient FASTag balance or no FASTag are flagged automatically.

The Indian Highways Management Company Limited issues e-notices to defaulters, giving them a 72-hour window to clear dues. Failure to comply can lead to penalties, including restrictions on vehicle-related services such as registration renewal or ownership transfer.

Officials say the digital tracking mechanism is designed to ensure compliance without disrupting traffic flow.

Nationwide rollout planned

The Surat installation is being seen as a pilot for a wider national rollout. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has earlier indicated that India aims to transition to a fully barrier-free tolling system by the end of 2026.

Authorities believe that apart from easing congestion, the system could improve revenue collection by minimising leakages and increasing compliance. Estimates suggest an additional ₹6,000 crore could be generated annually once the system is scaled up.

For now, all eyes are on the NH-48 stretch near Surat as the country’s first real-world test of barrier-less tolling begins to unfold.