Ahmedabad: A travel vlogger’s road journey from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh to Vadodara in Gujarat and onward to Navsari via the under-construction Delhi–Mumbai Expressway has highlighted the on-ground conditions, construction progress and teething issues in one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure projects.

In a recently uploaded YouTube video, the vlogger documented his drive across multiple partially operational stretches of the expressway, offering real-time updates on entry points, diversions, incomplete sections and safety concerns faced by motorists.

The journey began near the Bhuteda interchange, considered the midpoint of the 1,350-km-long expressway, with nearly equal distance remaining towards Delhi and Mumbai. The vlogger travelled from the Bhuteda interchange in Ratlam up to the Thandla interchange in Jhabua district, which is open only for limited stretches.

However, he had to exit the expressway at Thandla due to incomplete connectivity ahead and continued via local routes through Meghnagar and Jhabua before rejoining NH-47, the Indore–Ahmedabad highway. From Limkheda, he again entered the under-construction section of the expressway using the newly built interchange near NH-56.

At one location nearly 90 km ahead of Vadodara, the vlogger observed local children flying kites on the expressway, as the stretch has not yet been officially opened.

During the drive between Dahod and Vadodara, although major roadwork has been completed, a section remains affected due to pending high-tension power line shifting. Temporary diversions have been created at multiple locations, allowing vehicles to pass unofficially.

One of the critical segments was near a hilly section where a landslide had occurred earlier. Although the highway was officially closed due to ongoing work, vehicles were reportedly being allowed intermittently. The vlogger cautioned that motorists travelling through such areas do so entirely at their own risk, as closures can occur without notice during daytime construction.

Despite these challenges, road quality across completed sections was described as smooth, with long uninterrupted concrete and bituminous stretches. Direction boards displaying distances to key cities including Godhra, Dahod and Vadodara indicated that most structural work has been completed.

The vlogger noted that only three major issues are preventing full operational status between Madhya Pradesh and Vadodara: a pending culvert, relocation of high-tension transmission lines, and repair work at the landslide-affected zone.

Upon reaching the Vadodara interchange, he observed that finishing work is progressing rapidly. Based on on-ground assessment, the expressway section up to Godhra could become operational within a month, while connectivity up to Limkheda may take another six months, subject to clearance from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

Beyond Vadodara, the expressway towards Surat is fully operational. The vlogger confirmed smooth travel across the Bharuch–Narmada river bridge, highlighting a rare visual where the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor and the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train project could be seen within a single frame.

He further stated that the expressway is now open from Vadodara through Kim and Palsana up to Navsari, significantly reducing travel time. However, speed-monitoring systems and digital enforcement infrastructure are yet to be activated, with drivers advised to strictly follow signage and safety norms.

The video is gaining traction for providing practical guidance to travellers, particularly regarding entry and exit points, temporary diversions and unfinished stretches, offering a realistic snapshot of India’s mega expressway project in its transitional phase. DeshGujarat