The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, set to open in January 2025, will transform travel between the two cities by reducing travel time between the two cities from 6.5 hours to 2.5 hours.
Built at a cost of Rs 12,000 crore, the 212 km six-lane Delhi-Dehradun Greenfield Access Controlled Expressway offers 12 side-by-side facilities for the convenience of commuters, according to a press release from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. .
Spread across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the project includes special features that enhance the travel experience on the route, including an advanced wildlife corridor, and the introduction of various safety standards for passengers.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Expressway:
When will the expressway open to the public?
The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway will be open to the public in January next year.
What are the features of Delhi-Dehradun Expressway?
Divided into four segments, the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway will improve regional connectivity for daily commuters, starting from Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (DME) near Akshardham in Delhi, EPE Interchange at Shastri Park, Khajuri Khas, Khekra in Mandola, Baghpat, Shamli, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, to Dehradun in Uttarakhand.
A 340-meter long three-lane tunnel is also being constructed at Datkali in Dehradun at a cost of 1995 crores, the statement said.
Various special provisions have been made throughout the corridor for both travelers and wildlife in the region. The route from Ganeshpur to Dehradun has been reserved for wildlife, which will have 12 km of elevated road, 6 animal underpasses, two elephant underpasses, two major bridges and 13 minor bridges.
113 VUP (Vehicle Underpass), LVUP (Light Vehicle Underpass), SVUP (Small Vehicle Underpass), 5 ROB (Road Over Bridge), 4 major bridges and 62 bus shelters are under construction along the length of the expressway. to release.
76 km service road, 29 km elevated road, 16 entry and exit roads are also being constructed on the expressway, the statement said.
All these provisions facilitate traffic flow, reduce congestion and increase safety for passengers en route.
Besides, this national highway will be connected to Haridwar through a 51-km six-lane greenfield road being constructed at a cost of Rs 2,095 crore.
What did the ministry say?
During a site visit to the expressway in June this year, Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, and Roads, Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra expressed satisfaction with the progress of the expressway.
He said the expressway would play an important role in decongesting East Delhi’s Gandhi Nagar area and reduce the load on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, according to a statement.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also inspected the site in April 2023.