The forthcoming Delhi-Amritsar-Katra (DAK) greenfield expressway, an ambitious infrastructure project in India, is poised to usher in a new era of efficient travel across the nation. Anticipated to dramatically reduce travel times between key cities, this 669-kilometer expressway represents a significant investment in the country’s transportation infrastructure, with an estimated cost of Rs 40,000 crore. As it takes shape in the states of Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir, the DAK expressway is expected to bring about numerous transformative changes and significantly enhance connectivity.
Enhancing Connectivity and Reducing Travel Times One of the primary objectives of the DAK expressway is to reduce travel times for commuters. The Union minister for road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari, has projected that once completed, this expressway will cut travel time between Amritsar and Delhi to four hours and between Delhi and Katra to six hours. Currently, the distance from Delhi to Katra is 727 kilometers, but with the introduction of this new route, it will be shortened by 58 kilometers. This improvement in travel efficiency promises to ease the lives of countless individuals who regularly traverse these routes.
Geographic Distribution and Key Features The DAK expressway is a substantial project that spans three different states. Of its total length, 137 kilometers are being developed in Haryana, 399 kilometers in Punjab, and 135 kilometers in Jammu and Kashmir. Notably, in Punjab, construction work has already commenced on 296 kilometers of the expressway, and in Jammu and Kashmir, an additional 120 kilometers are in progress.
One of the expressway’s remarkable features is the inclusion of Asia’s longest cable-stayed bridge over the Beas, stretching an impressive 1300 meters. This engineering marvel not only serves as a testament to India’s infrastructural prowess but also signifies a crucial link in the country’s transportation network.
Religious Connectivity The DAK expressway serves as a vital corridor connecting several significant religious sites for the Sikh community, thereby facilitating spiritual journeys. Some of the prominent places of worship along this route include the Golden Temple, Sultanpur Lodhi Gurdwara in Kapurthala district, Goindwal Sahib Gurdwara, Khadur Sahib Gurdwara, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Tarn Taran, and even Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra. This connectivity is expected to have a profound impact on pilgrimage travel and strengthen the cultural ties within the Sikh community.
The Delhi-Amritsar-Katra greenfield expressway, with its ambitious goals and impressive features, is set to revolutionize travel in India. By significantly reducing travel times and enhancing connectivity, it promises to bring about a positive change for commuters, pilgrims, and the transportation network as a whole. As this monumental project progresses, it will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on the nation’s infrastructure and travel landscape.