The Ghulatis On The Go team embarks on a journey to provide a detailed update on the construction progress of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. This video focuses specifically on the sections near Jalandhar and Nakodar in Punjab, offering a rare and extensive look at the ongoing work. The Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway is a significant infrastructure project under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, designed to enhance connectivity and reduce travel times between major cities.
The expressway, officially named the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, is a 670-kilometer-long, four-lane controlled-access highway, with plans for expansion to eight lanes. It will connect Bahadurgarh near Delhi to Katra in Jammu and Kashmir, passing through Haryana and Punjab. A crucial spur section will link Nakodar to Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar. The main Delhi-Katra stretch is designated National Expressway 5 (NE-5), spanning 397.7 kilometers, while the Nakodar-Amritsar spur is National Expressway 5A (NE-5A), covering 99 kilometers. Once completed, this expressway is projected to significantly cut travel time between Delhi and Katra from 14 hours to 6 hours, and the Delhi-Amritsar journey from 8 hours to just 4 hours.
Journey to Cheheru Village on NH44
The journey begins with the Ghulatis On The Go team driving on the existing National Highway 44 (NH44), which connects Jalandhar and Phagwara. The team highlights previous videos where they showcased other sections of the Delhi-Katra Expressway, including the Jalandhar to Jammu section and the Ludhiana to Delhi stretch via Malerkotla. This particular video aims to present a less-seen segment of the expressway, focusing on the Cheheru village area, where the new expressway will cross NH44.
As the team approaches Cheheru village, visible signs of construction for the Delhi-Katra Expressway become apparent. Large concrete pillars, forming the foundation of the elevated expressway, can be seen crossing the existing highway. These pillars indicate significant progress in the structural development of the new route. The team notes that this section will feature an exit and entry point for the Delhi-Katra Expressway, integrating it with the current NH44.
Progress on the Nakodar Bypass Road
The second part of the update shifts focus to the Nakodar Bypass Road, another critical section of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. The team takes a left turn from the main highway onto the bypass road, which leads directly to Nakodar. This road is designed to be crossed twice by the new expressway. The initial observations on this section reveal a mix of completed and ongoing work.
Driving further along the Nakodar Bypass Road, the team encounters sections where the road has been completely blacktopped, indicating that the initial layers of asphalt have been laid. This smooth surface suggests that significant progress has been made in preparing the road for traffic. The presence of retaining walls and extensive earth filling also points to a well-advanced construction phase. The team expresses surprise at the level of completion, noting that this stretch appears almost ready for use, with both sides of the four-lane highway seemingly complete and smooth.
Kapurthala Road Section and Overall Outlook
The final segment of the update covers the Kapurthala Road section, where the Delhi-Katra Expressway will again intersect. While the work here appears to be in an earlier stage compared to the Nakodar Bypass, concrete pillars are visible, indicating that foundational construction is underway. The team observes that while earth filling has been done, the girders for the elevated sections are yet to be placed, suggesting that this part of the expressway will take more time to complete.
Despite some areas still requiring substantial work, the overall impression from the Ghulatis On The Go team is positive. They highlight that the construction is proceeding at a good pace, especially in the Nakodar Bypass section, which shows unexpected progress with blacktopped roads. The team anticipates that if the current speed of construction is maintained, the Jalandhar-Nakodar section of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway could be operational within the next year. They plan to provide further updates in a few months to track the continued development of this vital highway project.
Practical Takeaways
- Significant Progress: The Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway is seeing substantial construction progress, particularly in the Jalandhar and Nakodar sections.
- Greenfield Development: A large portion of the expressway is being built on new land acquisitions, allowing for modern and efficient design.
- Dual Spurs: The expressway includes two main spurs: one from Delhi to Nakodar (NE-5) and another from Nakodar to Amritsar Airport (NE-5A).
- Cheheru Village Crossing: The expressway crosses NH44 near Cheheru village, with visible pillars indicating structural development.
- Nakodar Bypass Readiness: Parts of the Nakodar Bypass Road show advanced construction, including blacktopped sections, suggesting early completion.
- Ongoing Work: While some sections are nearing completion, others, like parts of the Kapurthala Road crossing, are still in earlier stages of development.
- Reduced Travel Time: The completed expressway is expected to drastically cut travel times between Delhi, Amritsar, and Katra.
Watch the Original Journey
This article is connected to the original Ghulatis On The Go video below. Watch it for the complete visual experience and conversations from the road.