In 2009, work started to make the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway a world-class road. But by the middle of 2013 its condition had deteriorated so far that people demanded an end to tolling. Diversions, incomplete flyovers, unfinished roads, deep craters and trucks parked on the side made driving the 225km route nightmarish. A journey that used to take four hours now stretches to six, and more on bad days.

Problems on this route start from Iffco Chowk near Gurgaon where there is massive traffic during peak hours. Manesar, Behror, Pachgaon near Bhiwadi, Shahpura, Paota and Neemrana are some of the major intersections where traffic is held up. In August-September 2013, TOI ran a campaign about the project delay and the resultant problems. The issue was raised in Parliament and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) proposed to suspend toll collection on the Gurgaon-Jaipur stretch till the completion of widening. However, the NHAI board spiked the proposal arguing such a move would kill the build-operate-transfer model for road construction.

The slow pace of work on the expressway has hurt business. Hotels and dhabas that sprang up along the road have been losing business. Work on new hotels and housing projects planned in the area has also slowed down or stopped.

Now with NHAI officials claiming to complete the project within the first quarter of 2014, there is hope of better driveing conditions on the Delhi-Jaipur stretch in the new year.