Ankleshwar: The Kim-Dahegam stretch, which constitutes the much-awaited Package 5 of the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway, is expected to be opened to traffic by December 31, 2025, according to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

The information was reportedly shared by the NHAI’s Project Implementation Unit (PIU), Surat, in response to an online public grievance filed on the CPGRAMS portal. In a letter addressed to the complainant, the NHAI stated that Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway Package 5, covering the stretch from Kim to Dahegam, is progressing steadily and is expected to be operational by the end of this month.

Significance of the Opening

The NHAI is constructing the 1,386-km, eight-lane Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. As part of this expressway, connectivity between Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat is facilitated through National Expressway-1 (the Ahmedabad–Vadodara Expressway), followed by Packages 1 to 6 of the Vadodara–Virar section.

Of these six packages, only Package 5 remained pending for public access. Packages 1 to 3 were officially inaugurated a few years ago, while Packages 4 and 6 have been operational unofficially for the past few months to ease traffic movement.

Package 5 was the only unfinished portion connecting Kim to Ankleshwar, delaying the full opening of the Vadodara–Surat corridor. However, construction work on this segment has gained momentum after the monsoon, with around 93 per cent of the work now completed and the opening slated by year-end.

On-ground Update

Package 5, connecting the Kim Interchange to Ankleshwar in Bharuch district, has reached its concluding phase. Recent on-ground progress reports shared by infrastructure vloggers indicate that most of the stretch is complete, with finishing works underway to make the route operational for commuters.

• Structural Connections: Major structures that were previously under construction have been completed and integrated with the main alignment.

• Infrastructure over Railways: The Road Over Bridge (ROB) crossing the Western Railway line near Kosamba has been completed, with the installation of road lighting in the area nearing completion.

• Core Roadwork: Pavement Quality Concrete (PQC) laying has been completed across most of the alignment, along with the installation of side crash barriers and lane markings.

• Ancillary Works: Signage and hoardings have been installed, and teams are currently engaged in cleaning the alignment ahead of final commissioning.

Ongoing Work and Remaining Bottlenecks

While the package is in its final stage, a few tasks remain before it can be fully opened to the public.

• Utility Shifting: Although several transmission lines have been shifted, one remaining transmission line pole is located in the middle of the alignment. Once it is dismantled, final PQC laying for that patch will commence.

• Earthwork and Paving: Earthwork is underway at a location where a transmission line was recently shifted. In a few other patches, Dry Lean Concrete (DLC) has been completed, and PQC laying is expected to follow shortly.

• Way-side Amenities: Construction of the west-side amenities has recently begun, with initial excavation work using JCBs visible at the designated site.

Future Outlook and Connectivity

With the operationalisation of Package 5, a continuous expressway corridor from Vadodara to Surat will become functional. This will enable direct connectivity between Ahmedabad and Surat via the Vadodara-Ahmedabad Expressway (NE-1) and the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, significantly reducing travel time and improving industrial logistics across Gujarat.

Furthermore, as Package 7, from the Ena Interchange to the Kharel Interchange, is already 100 per cent complete, it can be opened at any time. This will allow direct expressway connectivity from Ahmedabad to Navsari. DeshGujarat