The new expressway connecting Delhi to Dehradun, which starts from Mohand and extends till Akshardham, Delhi, is now almost ready. The total cost of this 210 km long project is around Rs 13,000 crore. This highway will connect the three states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

The most difficult and important part of this expressway is the approximately 20 km long section from Ganeshpur to Dehradun, as this area falls in the middle of dense forests. Construction work here has been extremely challenging. According to ETV Bharat’s report, this section is 19.5 km long, and the work is in the final stage.

Although the project is unlikely to be fully operational by next month, a large section has been completed. The remaining work is expected to be finished within the next two to three months.

The expressway will pass through Rajaji Tiger Reserve. It has a specially designed elevated road and wildlife corridor that will not impact the animals’ movement. It is considered Asia’s largest wildlife corridor where animals can move in and out of the forests without any obstruction.

After the opening of this route, the travel time from Delhi to Dehradun, which is currently covered in 6-7 hours, will be reduced by 2.5 to 3 hours. The route will pass through Dehradun via Delhi, Baghpat, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, and Saharanpur.

At present, most parts have a 6-lane road, but it can be extended to 8 to 12 lanes in the future. Residential and commercial projects are also expected to emerge along this highway. The project began in 2021, and in the fourth phase, a tunnel was built in the Uttarakhand region.

Tourism And Business

Easy and fast access to tourist destinations like Dehradun and Mussoorie will boost tourism in the state. Along with this, new opportunities for business, industry and local employment will also open up. The Uttarakhand government is also considering a new route plan for traffic system in the capital region.