New Delhi-Dehradun Expressway To Cut Travel Time In Half, Partial Opening By June

Delhi-Dehradun highway it is set to open partially. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) expects the first phase of this 210-kilometer-long highway to be operational by the end of June.

This greenfield access controlled highway will connect the Akshardham temple in Delhi to Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh, covering a distance of around 32 km in its initial phase, as reported by HT Auto.

Originally slated for the end of March, the project has faced delays due to pollution-related restrictions in Delhi. However, with nearly 90-95 percent of Phase 1 complete, including roads and infrastructure, NHAI is gearing up for the opening.

Once fully operational, the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is expected to halve the current five-hour journey between the cities, bringing it down to about two and a half hours. The expressway, built at a cost of around Rs 8,300 crore, is designed for a speed limit of 100 kmph for light vehicles.

Phase 1 of this project includes two sections, covering a distance of 31.65 kilometers from Akshardham to Baghpat. This stretch includes an elevated section of 18 kilometers starting from Geeta Colony in Delhi and ending at Mavi village in Uttar Pradesh.

According to NHAI officials, Phase 1 is almost complete, with only finishing touches like signage and infrastructure left to do. I am confident it will be good to go at the end of June.

In addition, the expressway will also boast Asia’s largest elevated wildlife corridor spanning 12 kilometers, allowing unrestricted movement for wildlife. This corridor will also include a 340 meter long Daat Kali tunnel.

While most of the highway is nearing completion, the final 20-kilometer stretch near Dehradun is still a work in progress.