The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has commenced the trial run of the Bandikui-Jaipur Link Expressway, a vital connection between Jaipur and the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. This newly constructed link is poised to significantly reduce travel time between Delhi and Jaipur, with estimates suggesting the journey will now take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. The 66.91-kilometer, four-lane access-controlled expressway stretches from Bandikui in the Dausa district of Rajasthan to Jaipur. The project was built at a cost of Rs 1,368 crore.
The opening of this link is a major milestone in improving highway connectivity in the region. Previously, commuters traveling from Jaipur, particularly those starting from Rotary Circle, had to take a detour via Dausa on Agra Road to access the expressway. Now, they can use a convenient slip lane at the Bagrana crossing. Vehicles approaching from the Ring Road can also join the expressway using a cloverleaf ramp. Similarly, vehicles coming from the Bandikui side will use an elevated ramp that branches into two exits: one leading towards the Jaipur-bound flank of Agra Road and the other connecting to the Ring Road.
The trial run commenced on July 2, 2025, and will continue for a period of 7 to 10 days. During this trial period, no toll will be levied, allowing vehicles to use the expressway free of charge. However, tractors, motorcycles, and other restricted vehicles are not allowed on the expressway. The trial period will allow NHAI to evaluate road quality, test support systems, and ensure safety standards before officially commencing commercial operations. According to officials, the trial run will be used for facility testing and quality checks to identify and address any shortcomings before toll collection begins.
Once fully operational, the expressway is expected to reduce travel time between Bandikui and Jaipur to just 25–30 minutes, a significant improvement compared to the previous one hour. It will also reduce travel time from Gurugram to Bandikui to approximately three hours. The expressway connects with multiple corridors, including the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Manoharpur-Kauthun Highway (via the Khuri Interchange).
The new link is expected to benefit commuters traveling between Delhi, Gurugram, and Jaipur by allowing them to avoid the congested NH 44 and also reduce the distance between these cities by 12 kilometers. The construction of the Jaipur-Bandikui spur took approximately 2.5 years to complete. The expressway will feature four lanes with paved shoulders and will be access-controlled, similar to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.
The opening of the Bandikui-Jaipur Expressway is expected to boost regional trade, tourism, and transport. The project includes advanced infrastructure, such as one railway overbridge, six interchanges, 11 vertical underpasses, and 13 minor bridges. The Khuri Interchange has been made operational to manage flow from the Manoharpur-Kauthun highway. Other interchanges are expected to be opened in the coming days, depending on the success of the trial.
