The much-awaited Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, which is set to transform the road travel between the national capital and the Uttarakhand capital, is set to be inaugurated in January 2025.
The expressway, running for more than 210 km from Akshardham in New Delhi, will significantly reduce the travel time between the two cities from 6.5 hours to just 2.5 hours.
The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway will start from Akshardham in the national capital and pass through Ghaziabad, Baghpat, Shamli, Saharanpur, and Haridwar to finally reach NH-72 in Dehradun.
The authorities are working tirelessly to complete the project on time without compromising on quality or environmental commitments. The expressway will be a game-changer for connectivity in Uttarakhand by benefiting commuters, tourists, and freight transport by connecting the two major cities.
All About Project Phases
The project was started in early 2021 and was developed in phases. While the stretch between Delhi and Saharanpur is almost operational, the stretch from Saharanpur to Dehradun is in advanced stages of development. As of the end of this year, over 75 per cent of the construction is complete.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the six-lane Delhi-Dehradun Greenfield Access Controlled Expressway has been built at a cost of Rs 12,000 crore. The expressway is part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana, a government initiative aimed at enhancing road infrastructure across India.
Asia's Longest Wildlife Corridor
The expressway includes a 12-km elevated corridor, Asia’s longest wildlife corridor, near Rajaji National Park to safeguard wildlife and have sound barriers to prevent disturbance to animals.
Moreover, it has been developed with sustainable materials and green technology to minimise environmental impact.
The new six-lane highway will offer a smoother and faster route for tourists heading to Uttarakhand, thereby increasing the number of visitors to the state promoting tourism and local economic growth.
State-Of-The-Art Road Design And Technology
The state-of-the-art road design will reduce travel time to just 2.5 hours by eliminating congestion and ensure enhanced safety through advanced traffic management systems.
The expressway has six lanes, which can be expanded to eight lanes and has provisions for service roads. The road also has state-of-the-art toll plazas to ensure a seamless experience.
The road is equipped with smart traffic management systems to monitor and manage vehicular movement. It has green zones along the expressway to add to the aesthetics and environmental balance.
Some of the other facilities of the expressway include trauma centres, ambulances, fire brigades, and other emergency services.