Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Set to Transform Travel Time

Progress on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway

On May 17, Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Harsh Malhotra, conducted a review of the ongoing construction of the 210-kilometer Delhi-Dehradun Expressway. Officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) reported that the remaining segments of this significant project are anticipated to be finalized within the next two to three months. Upon completion, the expressway is expected to cut travel time from 6.5 hours down to just 2.5 hours.

The total investment for this route amounts to Rs 12,000 crore. It begins at Akshardham and connects various locations including Shamli, Baghpat, and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh. A 3.4-kilometer stretch in Dehradun, situated between Datkali and Asharodi, is already operational. The expressway features 113 underpasses, five railway overbridges, 76 kilometers of access roads, 16 entry and exit points, 29 kilometers of elevated lanes, and 62 bus shelters. Additionally, it includes a three-lane tunnel measuring 340 meters at Datkali in Dehradun.

Mohammed Saifi, the Regional Officer for NHAI in the Delhi Region, stated that the elevated road leading to the Uttar Pradesh border has been completed. Testing has concluded, and a final report is expected to be released within two weeks. Various sources indicate that the expressway is likely to open to the public by late June or early July.

The opening of this route is poised to enhance connectivity and stimulate the tourism industry, making travel more convenient for residents of Delhi, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.