National Expressway 4 (NE-4) is India's longest expressway — a 1,386-kilometre, 8-lane access-controlled highway connecting New Delhi to Mumbai. Also officially called the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, it is the flagship project of India's Bharatmala Pariyojana programme and is designed to transform how freight and passengers move between the national capital and the country's financial centre.
If you've come across the term "NE4" or "National Expressway 4" and want to understand what it is, where it goes, and whether it's open — this guide covers it all.
What Does NE-4 Stand For?
NE-4 stands for National Expressway 4. India classifies its access-controlled, high-speed expressways separately from regular national highways. National Expressways (NE series) are the highest category — fully access-controlled, no cross-traffic, no slow vehicles, and built to greenfield standards (mostly on new alignments rather than widening old roads).
NE-4 is the fourth national expressway in this classification system. It is operated by NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) through a special purpose vehicle called DMEDL — DME Development Limited.
Where Does NE-4 Go?
NE-4 runs from DND Flyway in Delhi to JNPT (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust) in Navi Mumbai — a distance of 1,386 kilometres. Along the way it passes through six states and union territories:
- Delhi — starts near the DND Flyway in south Delhi (Mithapur/Ballabhgarh)
- Haryana — passes through Faridabad, Palwal, and Sohna
- Rajasthan — the longest state section, passing through Alwar, Dausa, Sawai Madhopur, Kota, and Jhalawar
- Madhya Pradesh — passes through Ratlam, Mandsaur, and Neemuch districts
- Gujarat — passes through Godhra, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, and Kim
- Maharashtra — enters from Navsari side, through Thane, to JNPT in Navi Mumbai
The expressway also has a branch spur — NE-4C — which connects Bandikui in Rajasthan to Jaipur (approximately 67 km), giving the Pink City a direct expressway link to the main corridor.
Key Facts About NE-4
| Parameter | Details | |---|---| | Official name | National Expressway 4 (Delhi–Mumbai Expressway) | | Total length | 1,386 km | | Lanes | 8 (expandable to 12) | | Speed limit | 120 km/h | | Access type | Fully access-controlled (no level crossings) | | Toll system | Closed tolling — per km between entry/exit | | Operated by | NHAI via DME Development Limited (DMEDL) | | Project cost | ~₹1,00,000 crore (~US$13.1 billion) | | Construction start | 2020 | | Expected full completion | 2027–28 |
Why Was NE-4 Built?
The primary motivation was to relieve the chronic congestion on the existing Delhi–Mumbai route (predominantly NH-48, formerly NH-8), which passes through multiple cities and towns and carries an unsustainable mix of local, intercity, and freight traffic.
NE-4 is designed to:
- Reduce Delhi–Mumbai road distance by ~180 km compared to existing routes
- Cut travel time from ~24 hours to ~12 hours
- Provide a dedicated high-speed corridor for freight trucks (reducing logistics costs)
- Reduce accidents by eliminating all level crossings, U-turns, and cross-traffic
- Support the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), which runs parallel to the highway
The government estimates NE-4 will reduce logistics costs by up to 69% for freight moving on this corridor, particularly once the planned electric highway (dedicated lane for electric trucks and buses) is operational.
What's Open on NE-4 in 2026?
NE-4 is partially operational. Sections have been opening progressively since 2023:
- Sohna–Dausa–Lalsot (246 km) — open since February 2023, inaugurated by PM Modi
- Entire Madhya Pradesh section (244 km) — open since September 2023
- Vadodara–Bharuch (Gujarat) — open since February 2024
- Mithapur–Ballabhgarh in Delhi (24 km) — open since November 2024
- Kota–Laban in Rajasthan (80 km) — open since December 2024
- Bharuch–Kharel in Gujarat — open since January 2026
- Vadodara–Godhra — open since April 2026
- Kim–Enna, Gujarat (63.5 km) — open since June 2026
The remaining Gujarat and Maharashtra sections are under construction, with full completion expected in 2027–28. You can track the latest package-wise construction progress on the Construction Status page.
What Makes NE-4 Different from Other Indian Highways?
Several features set NE-4 apart:
Wildlife crossings — NE-4 passes through the Rajasthan wildlife corridor, home to four tiger reserves: Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundara Hills, and Ramgarh Vishdhari. Rather than fragmenting this habitat, the expressway includes 5 elevated wildlife crossings — the first of their kind on any Indian highway in Asia. Tigers, leopards, and other large mammals can cross safely overhead.
Electric highway — A dedicated lane for electric trucks and buses is planned alongside the expressway, with overhead charging infrastructure. This is a first for India and targets reducing long-haul freight emissions.
EV charging every 50 km — All 93 wayside amenity stops include EV charging points, making NE-4 one of the first Indian highways fully ready for electric vehicles across its entire length.
Solar-powered lighting and green features — The entire highway is lit by solar-powered lights. Rainwater harvesting points are placed every 500 metres, and approximately 2 million trees have been planted along the alignment.
Toll on NE-4
NE-4 uses a closed tolling system — you pay based on the distance between your entry and exit interchange, not a flat amount at each plaza. Toll is collected via FASTag at the exit point.
A temporary 50% toll reduction is currently in effect for sections still under construction. See the full breakdown on the Toll Rates page.
How Do I Travel on NE-4?
NE-4 is access-controlled — you can only enter and exit at designated interchanges. There are currently 33 interchanges across the operational sections. Use the Entry & Exit Points map to find the right interchange for your journey.
You must have a valid FASTag to use NE-4. All plazas are FASTag-only — no cash lanes. Vehicles without FASTag are charged double.
For the most current information on open sections and toll rates, visit nhai.gov.in.