Delhi-Katra Expressway construction on track, will be completed by March 2027: NHAI
Jammu, Feb 25 (PTI) The Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, the fifth major expressway being developed in the country, is set for completion by March 2027, a senior official of the National Highways Authority of India said on Wednesday.
The construction of the National Expressway 5 (NE5), which began in April 2021, had significantly slowed last year due to Operation Sindoor as well as heavy rains and floods across northern states.
Once completed, the project is expected to considerably enhance regional connectivity, promote religious tourism and facilitate faster mobility for the armed forces, the official said.
The expressway will reduce the distance from Delhi to Katra from 727 to 588 kilometres, cutting travel time from 14 to about six hours, he said.
Speaking to PTI Videos here, Rajiv Kumar, project director, NHAI (Project Implementation Unit Jammu), said, “Construction of the expressway was hit badly last year in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor and later by heavy rains and flooding. But the work has gathered pace again. The deadline for its completion has been fixed for March next year.”
Kumar said the National Expressway 5 is the fifth major expressway being developed in the country and has been conceptualised as a religious corridor, supplementing existing air and rail connectivity.
“It will connect two of the most prominent pilgrimage destinations — Sri Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple or Darbar Sahib in Amritsar (Punjab) and Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra (Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir),” he said.
A large number of devotees visit Mata Vaishno Devi annually, the official said, explaining that they currently rely on rail and air travel. The expressway would provide a third option, enabling Delhi-Katra travel in approximately six hours.
“We had only five to six months of effective work last year. One of the biggest challenges was retaining manpower during tense security situations. Many workers left due to safety concerns and had to be persuaded to return. Additionally, heavy rains washed away two bridges, severely disrupting supply lines,” Kumar said.
