Delhi-Dehradun expressway: What¡¯s the cost and when will it open?

Delhi-Dehradun expressway update: Delhi-Dehradun Expressway updates: The much-awaited Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is nearing completion and is expected to transform travel between the national capital and Uttarakhand¡¯s capital. Once fully operational, this expressway will reduce travel time from 6.5 hours to just 2.5 hours, offering faster, smoother, and more convenient journeys.

Project Overview: A Game-Changer for North India

The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, officially known as National Highway 709B, is one of India's most ambitious infrastructure projects. It stretches across 210 kilometres, starting from Akshardham in Delhi and passing through Baghpat, Shamli, and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, before reaching Dehradun in Uttarakhand.

The expressway aims to improve regional connectivity and boost tourism, trade, and transport between Delhi and the hill states.

Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Cost: A Massive Rs 12,000 Crore Investment

The total cost of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is estimated at Rs 12,000 crore, as reported in PIB. This huge investment includes the construction of highways, tunnels, bridges, service roads, and other infrastructure.

Another related project¡ªa 26-km elevated road in Dehradun¡ªis also in the pipeline. This corridor will connect the expressway directly to Mussoorie, with an additional cost of Rs 6,100 crore, which includes both construction expenses and compensation for displaced residents.

Key Features of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway

The expressway is packed with modern features designed to ensure safety, speed, and comfort:

• 113 underpasses for smooth traffic flow
• 5 railway overbridges for uninterrupted travel
• 76 km of service roads
• 16 entry and exit points
• 29 km of elevated road sections
• 62 bus shelters for public transport accessibility
• A 340-metre-long, three-lane tunnel at Datkali in Dehradun
• Designed for a speed of 100 km/h

When Will the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Open?

According to reports on May 17, Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Harsh Malhotra, visited the entire route and confirmed that most parts of the expressway are already complete. Regional Officer of the NHAI Delhi Region, Mohammed Saifi, stated that the final sections would be ready within 2 to 3 months.

Testing of the completed stretches has been finalised, and the final report is expected soon. The expressway is likely to open by late June or early July 2025.

Challenges and Delays in the Project

While most of the construction is complete, some delays occurred due to land disputes and technical issues:

• A legal dispute over land in Mandola, Ghaziabad¡ªa two-storey house lies on a key section, and authorities are awaiting court orders.
• A pillar collapsed in Saharanpur in March 2025, which was quickly addressed and managed without major consequences.

Delhi to Mussoorie in Just 4 Hours?

Another major benefit of this project is the planned 26-km elevated road that will connect Dehradun to Mussoorie. This new link will allow travellers to reach the hill station from Delhi in just 4 hours, as reported in Livemint.

The elevated corridor will cross the Rispana and Bindal rivers and will require land acquisition in 26 localities. Over 2,600 houses along the riversides will be demolished to make way for the project. This corridor aims to offer seamless travel to popular destinations in the hills.

Boost to Char Dham and Religious Tourism

The expressway will also connect to the Char Dham Highway, improving access to major pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand. It is expected to significantly boost religious tourism by reducing travel time and ensuring better road safety.

The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is set to be a landmark project that will not only reduce travel time but also improve connectivity, promote tourism, and strengthen the economy in northern India. With a cost of Rs 12,000 crore and cutting-edge features, it is all set to open by mid-2024, bringing Delhi, Dehradun, and even Mussoorie closer than ever before.

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