A 670-kilometre corridor designed to slash travel times by half
In short: The Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway is more than just a new road. By connecting the national capital to Jammu and Kashmir, this massive infrastructure project aims to transform regional logistics, reducing a grueling 14-hour journey to just 6 hours.
Currently under construction as part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana, this 670 km controlled-access expressway is a complex mix of greenfield and brownfield segments. The project is divided into two primary phases: Phase 1 encompasses the Delhi–Nakodar–Gurdaspur section (National Expressway 5) and the Nakodar–Amritsar spur (National Expressway 5A), while Phase 2 covers the Gurdaspur–Katra stretch. The 99 km Nakodar–Amritsar section is specifically designed to terminate near the Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport.
The engineering and economic scale of the project is significant. With an expected cost of ₹40,000 crores, the highway will feature 4 lanes, expandable to 8, and is intended to alleviate pressure on the historic Grand Trunk Road. The infrastructure is planned to include comprehensive amenities such as trauma centres, fire brigades, truck stops, and interchanges. Strategically, the expressway serves as a vital component of the Ludhiana-Delhi-Kolkata Industrial Corridor.
The project's footprint involves substantial land acquisition, including approximately 14,000 acres in Punjab and 5,000 acres in Haryana. While the Detailed Project Report was finalized in November 2019 and land acquisition began in January 2020, certain segments are still in development. For instance, a 20 km extension from Haryana to Kanjhawala is expected to have construction tenders invited following the completion of its DPR in late 2025. The alignment also promises to integrate the Dera Baba Nanak and Kartarpur Corridors into the broader network.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway
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