India's infrastructure development is reaching new heights, with remarkable achievements in expressway construction. One such feat involves the Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh, which has garnered attention for its record-breaking construction speed. However, another noteworthy example can be found in the construction of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.

Ganga Expressway's Record-Breaking Construction

Patel Infrastructure Ltd., a Gujarat-based company, has etched its name in history by achieving a world record for the fastest construction of a six-lane stretch on the Ganga Expressway. This expressway is also known as India's longest motorway owned by a state. The company accomplished this feat by laying bituminous concrete over 34.24 kilometers, utilizing 20,105 metric tons of the material and covering 171,210 square meters, all within a continuous 24-hour period. Additionally, Patel Infrastructure's ancillary company, Road Shield Private Limited, installed 10 kilometers of metal beam crash barriers during the same period.

This achievement has been recognized and authenticated by three major record authorities: the Golden Book of World Records, the India Book of Records, and the Asia Book of Records. The record-setting effort took place on the Ganga Expressway Project (Group 3), a project by Adani Road and Transport Limited (ARTL), between the Hardoi and Unnao districts.

Arvind Patel, Managing Director of Patel Infrastructure Ltd, expressed pride in contributing to nation-building through this achievement, emphasizing the brilliance of Indian engineering and the unwavering spirit of his team. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also shared the news on social media, highlighting the state's progress in infrastructure development.

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway's Construction Feats

While the Ganga Expressway's achievement is recent, the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway has also witnessed remarkable construction feats. In February 2021, a contractor working on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway set a world record for laying pavement quality concrete (PQC). The contractor, Patel Infrastructure Ltd, laid PQC for a four-lane highway spanning 2,580 meters in just 24 hours.

The project commenced at 8 am on February 1, 2021, and by 8 am the following day, the team had completed approximately 10.32 lane kilometers of work. With a width of 18.75 meters, this translated to an area of 48,711 square meters of concrete laid in a single day. The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways noted that the highest quantity of concrete laid in 24 hours, amounting to 14,613 cubic meters, was also achieved during this period. The India Book of Records and the Golden Book of World Records both recognized this accomplishment.

The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, once fully operational, is expected to reduce travel time between Delhi and Mumbai from 24 hours to 10-13 hours. The 1,386 km long expressway spans across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. It is designed for speeds up to 120 kmph and incorporates eco-friendly construction practices, including animal corridors and noise barriers. The expressway is nearing completion and is expected to be fully functional by October 2025.

These achievements on the Ganga Expressway and Delhi-Mumbai Expressway highlight India's rapid progress in infrastructure development. The construction of these expressways not only improves connectivity and reduces travel time but also contributes to economic growth and demonstrates the country's engineering capabilities.