The number of expressways in India in 2026 is not a static figure — it is a number moving upward with remarkable speed. Every quarter brings fresh inaugurations, and every state government is advancing its own pipeline of projects. But the baseline picture is clear: India has approximately 44 to 50 operational expressways as of mid-2025, with a total operational expressway network of over 6,000 kilometres. Over 11,000 kilometres are simultaneously under active construction — the largest concurrent expressway build programme in the country’s history.
The expressway network is formally divided into National Expressways (NE series, designated by the central government) and State Expressways (built and maintained by state governments or their agencies). There are currently 11 designated National Expressways, of which 4 are operational and 7 are in advanced construction phases. Beyond these, 22 state expressways cover approximately 3,116 kilometres of operational road. Uttar Pradesh leads the country with 13 expressways — a state-level record driven by the UPEIDA programme that has delivered the Agra-Lucknow, Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Gorakhpur Link, and Ganga Expressways and has the Lucknow-Kanpur (NE-6) nearing completion.
The Bharatmala Pariyojana, approved in 2017 with Phase I committing approximately ₹10.63 lakh crore to 83,677 kilometres of new national highway infrastructure, has been the primary driver of the construction surge. The programme targets 18,637 kilometres of new greenfield expressways. Daily construction of national highways in India has reached 33 kilometres per day as of 2024-25 — a pace that adds expressway-grade infrastructure to the network at a rate the country had never seen before 2015.
Many Expressways Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Operational Expressways (approx.) | 44–50 across India (mid-2025) |
| Total Operational Network | 6,000+ km |
| Under Construction | 11,000+ km |
| National Expressways (NE) | 11 designated; 4 operational; 7 under construction |
| State Expressways | 22 operational; total ~3,116 km |
| State with Most Expressways | Uttar Pradesh — 13 expressways |
| Longest Expressway | Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (NE-4) — 1,386 km |
| Second Longest | Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway (NH-754) — 1,257 km |
| India’s First Expressway | Mumbai-Pune Expressway (YC Expressway) — 94.5 km (2002) |
| Daily Highway Construction (2024-25) | 33 km per day |
| Bharatmala Phase I Commitment | ₹10.63 lakh crore; 83,677 km |
| Greenfield Target | 18,637 km of new greenfield expressways |
| Key Programme | Bharatmala Pariyojana (since 2017) |
| Widest Expressway | Dwarka Expressway — 16 lanes (fully operational August 2025) |
| Governing Body | NHAI (national); UPEIDA, MSRDC, HSIIDC (state-level agencies) |
National Expressways: The Formal List
The Government of India has officially designated the following National Expressways: NE-1 (Ahmedabad-Vadodara), NE-2 (Delhi-Meerut), NE-3 (Mumbai-Pune Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway), NE-4 (Delhi-Mumbai), NE-5 (Delhi-Amritsar-Katra), NE-5A (Nakodar-Amritsar Spur), NE-6 (Lucknow-Kanpur / Awadh Expressway), NE-7 (Bengaluru-Chennai), and NE-X (Ganga Expressway, Meerut-Prayagraj, inaugurated April 29, 2026). NE-4 at 1,386 kilometres is the longest, while NE-3 at 94.5 kilometres holds the historic distinction of being India’s first.
State Expressways: The Broader Network
Maharashtra contributes the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the Samruddhi Mahamarg (Mumbai-Nagpur, 701 km, completed June 2026). Karnataka has the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway (119 km, March 2023). Haryana has the KMP Expressway and Trans-Haryana Expressway. West Bengal operates the Kalyani Expressway. Gujarat has the Ahmedabad-Vadodara and recently inaugurated the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway. This multi-state, multi-agency character of India’s expressway network is what gives the total number of 44 to 50 operational expressways its complexity — no single agency operates all of them.
The Pipeline: What Is Coming
The most significant projects under construction include the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway (670 km, expected 2026-27), Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway (710 km, expected 2027), Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway (519 km, expected 2028), Narmada Expressway (906 km, pre-construction phase), and the Pune-Bangalore Expressway (700 km, construction from 2026).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many expressways are there in India in 2026?
A: Approximately 44 to 50 operational expressways totalling over 6,000 km. Additionally, 11,000+ km are under active construction.
Q2. Which state has the most expressways in India?
A: Uttar Pradesh — with 13 expressways including the Agra-Lucknow, Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Yamuna, Ganga, and Gorakhpur Link Expressways.
Q3. What is India’s longest expressway in 2026?
A: The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (NE-4) — 1,386 km across 6 states, progressively opening with approximately 82-94% complete as of May 2026.
Q4. What is India’s first expressway?
A: The Mumbai-Pune Expressway (Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway) — 94.5 km, India’s first six-lane access-controlled toll expressway, opened April 2002.
Q5. Which is India’s widest expressway?
A: Dwarka Expressway — 16 lanes (NH-248BB), connecting Mahipalpur (Delhi) to Kherki Daula (Gurugram), fully operational from August 2026.