Delhi-Dehradun Expressway: Check Status, Route, Cost, Travel Time, And Expected Start Date

Route: India's road infrastructure is expanding rapidly, with new highways and expressways enhancing connectivity. One major project making headlines is the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, which promises to cut travel time between Delhi and Dehradun drastically. The expressway spans 212 km and is divided into four sections. It starts from the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (DME) near Akshardham in Delhi, passing through Shastri Park, Khajuri Khas, Mandola (Baghpat), Shamli, and Saharanpur before reaching Dehradun, Uttarakhand. 

Cost, Start Time: The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is a 6-lane Greenfield Access Controlled Expressway being built at a cost of ₹12,000 crore. Initially set to be completed by December 2024, the project is now expected to open for public use by January 2025.  

Travel Time: Once operational, the expressway will significantly reduce travel time. The Delhi to Dehradun journey will be cut from 6 hours to just 2.5 hours, while Delhi to Haridwar travel time will shrink from 5 hours to 2 hours. 

Eco-sensitive corridor: A key highlight of the project is its passage through the eco-sensitive Raja Ji National Park. The last 20 km stretch of the expressway will feature Asia’s longest 12-km elevated wildlife corridor to protect the region’s biodiversity. Special provisions include 6 animal underpasses, 2 elephant underpasses, 2 major bridges, and 13 minor bridges, ensuring safe movement for wildlife. 

Specifics: In terms of infrastructure, the expressway will have 113 vehicular underpasses (VUP, LVUP, SVUP), 5 railway overbridges (ROBs), 4 major bridges, and 62 bus shelters. Additionally, it will include a 76 km service road, a 29 km elevated road, and 16 entry-exit points, ensuring seamless connectivity for commuters. 

With the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, travel between Delhi, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh will become smoother and more efficient. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is focused on delivering high-quality construction for a faster, safer, and seamless travel experience. 

The project is set to revolutionise road travel in North India, offering better connectivity, reduced congestion, and improved safety for passengers.