Navsari: Along with Package 5 from Ankleshwar to Kim, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has finally opened Package 7 of the Vadodara–Virar section of the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, from Ena to Kharel. However, the opening is currently on a trial basis and may be blocked again if any issues are reported over the next few days. With this development, commuters can now travel directly on the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway from Vadodara to Kharel, near Navsari.

Out of the 1,386-km-long, under-construction eight-lane Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, around 426 km passes through Gujarat, providing major connectivity to central and south Gujarat. With the opening of Packages 1 to 7 of the Vadodara–Virar section, the entire stretch from Vadodara to Navsari is now operational for traffic.

It is noteworthy that Packages 1, 2, and 3, covering the Vadodara–Bharuch stretch, have been fully operational since February 2024, ensuring smooth travel up to Manubar in Bharuch district. Subsequently, Package 4, from Manubar to Ankleshwar, was opened for traffic, followed by a similar opening of Package 6, from Kim Interchange to Ena Interchange near Surat.

Now, two packages, Package 5 and Package 7, that were pending have now both been opened on a trial basis by the National Highways Authority of India. As these sections are open on a trial basis, only light vehicles are currently allowed, while heavy vehicles such as buses and trucks are not permitted to use these sections yet.

Furthermore, although toll plazas on these packages are ready, toll collection has not yet begun, as the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has not released the official toll rates so far.

One more notable point is that at the entry and exit at the intersection of the expressway, the height barriers have been installed to stop the entry of non-permitted vehicles.

Key diversion on Bharuch–Kim stretch

Although vehicles are now allowed to ply on the full Vadodara–Navsari route, there is one key issue on the expressway that commuters should note. A high-tension transmission tower currently stands directly on the alignment of Package 5. As the tower occupies the main carriageway path, highway authorities have created a mandatory diversion by constructing a temporary three-lane road, allowing vehicles to bypass the structure.

Another point to note is that since both new packages have been opened on a trial basis, some stretches of the carriageway are operational on one side only, with diversions at certain locations. Smooth and full-fledged operations may still take a few more days. However, with the opening of these two packages, connectivity from Vadodara to Surat has received a significant boost. DeshGujarat