Delhi-Katra Expressway 2026: Route, Map, Cost And Opening Date

Delhi-Katra Expressway is approx. 670 km and a 4 to 8-lane corridor that will connect Delhi, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Jammu, and Katra, and other cities. The estimated cost of the project is roughly ₹38,905 crore. The project was started in April 2021 and is expected to be opened by March 2027.

On July 17, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the completed sections of the Delhi Amritsar Katra Expressway. Being developed under the Bharatmala Pariyojana programme, this expressway is going to reduce the time taken to travel from Delhi to Katra by about 6 to 7 hours. In addition, this project sets an example of next-generation travel infrastructure, providing easy cultural connectivity to major religious and cultural sites in Amritsar and especially Katra, the official base camp town of the sacred shrine Vaishno Devi.

Overview of the Delhi-Katra Expressway

The Delhi Katra Expressway is a 670-kilometer, greenfield and brownfield expressway project. It is being built under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, which aims to cut the time taken for travel from Delhi to Katra. This expressway acts as a network that will give pilgrims easy access to visit religious and cultural sites, including:

• Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine
• Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple)
• Sultanpur Lodhi
• Goindwal Sahib
• Khadoor Sahib
• Tarn Taran Sahib
• Dera Baba Nanak

Cities and Districts Covered in the Delhi Katra Expressway route

The Delhi Katra Expressway route covers cities and districts of Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Here are those:

• Haryana: Jhajjar, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jind, Kaithal, Karnal, and Ambala.
• Punjab: Patiala, Sangrur, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, and Amritsar Branch.
• Jammu and Kashmir: Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Reasi.

What is the Cost of the Delhi to Katra Expressway?

The cost of the Delhi Amritsar Katra Expressway is approximately ₹38,905 crore, revised from the initial estimate of around ₹25,000 crore. The funding of this project is gathered through a combination of the Central Government budgetary allocations, market borrowings, and financing from the private sector. 

Also, its funding is managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Delhi-Katra Expressway Route

The Delhi Katra Expressway route connects many cities and districts on its way from Delhi to Katra. It starts from the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway near Jasaur Kheri in Jhajjar, Haryana. It exits Haryana by passing through districts such as Jhajjar, Jind, Kaithal, and Ambala.

Then this expressway enters Punjab and heads north, touching Patiala, Sangrur, Malerkotla, and Ludhiana districts. When it reaches Nakodar, it splits into two routes: one straight to the north for Amritsar, which is known as (NE-5A), and another towards Jammu and Kashmir.

The second route on the Delhi Katra Expressway route map shows it heads towards the main route (NE-5), Katra, via Gurdaspur, Dinanagar, and Pathankot. Further, it enters Jammu and Kashmir via Kathua and Samba, joins the Jammu Ring Road, and ends in Katra.

Delhi-Katra Expressway Distance and Travel Time

The new Delhi to Katra Expressway will be about 588 kilometers, reducing the travel time by 6 to 7 hours, compared with the roughly 727 km existing route, making it convenient for travelers and tourists.

There is a table included below as well to help you to compare the old and new travel time:

A Developmental Timeline of Katra Delhi Expressway

Here is an overview of the timeline of the Delhi to Katra Expressway:

• 2016: The Delhi to Katra Expressway project was officially announced.

• 2019: The Detailed Project Report (DPR) was finalized to be executed in construction.

• April 2021: The construction of this greenfield expressway was started.

• 24 April 2022: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the expressway project through a formal ceremony marking the official start.

• 2025: The project had to face many delays because of heavy monsoon rains, floods in several northern regions, and local disruptions.

• July 2026: The expressway is not fully completed, but some parts of it were opened for people to use, including Package 6.

• March 2027: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) expects that the entire project will be completed and usable on the anticipated timeline.

Toll Rates on the Operational Section in Haryana 2026

The Delhi to Katra Expressway is anticipated to be completed and opened by March 2027. But some routes are operational for traffic with toll rates, which are as follows:

Delhi-Katra Expressway Current Status in 2026

Here is the current Delhi Katra Expressway status​ in 2026:

• Haryana Segment: The 135 km stretch running through Haryana has been fully operational and open for use since November 2024.

• Recent Opening: The additional 157 km, including Packages 1 to 5 and the 30.6 km section near Jalandhar, were formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17th of July, 2026.

• Punjab Segment: The expressway project is facing several delays due to local land acquisition challenges.

• Jammu and Kashmir Segment: The 143 km stretch in Jammu and Kashmir is moving forward after the weather-related delays, targeting completion around March 2027.

Conclusion

Delhi Katra Expressway is a big step forward in reducing the exhausting 14-hour journey to a 6 to 7-hour drive. By directly connecting Delhi with Katra, for travelers and pilgrims, it makes it convenient to travel to Amritsar and Vaishno Devi. After overcoming operational delays and hurdles, this ₹38,905 crore approx. expressway project has some routes open to use for traffic and is expected to be fully operational in 2027, with varying completion dates.

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