3 months to go for opening of Delhi-Saharanpur-Dehradun Expressway: Harsh Malhotra

IANS May 17, 2025 305 views

The Union Minister of State for Road Transport has confirmed the imminent completion of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway within the next three months. This ambitious infrastructure project will significantly reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from 6.5 to just 2.5 hours. The expressway, spanning 210 kilometers, passes through multiple districts in Uttar Pradesh and promises to decongest Delhi's transportation network. Developed at a cost of Rs 12,000 crore, the project also features an environmentally conscious 12-km elevated corridor through Rajaji National Park.

"The expressway will be instrumental in decongesting NCT of Delhi" - Harsh Malhotra, MoS Road Transport
New Delhi, May 17: Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra on Saturday inspected the 210-km stretch of the Delhi-Saharanpur-Dehradun Expressway, amid indications of the project being completed in 2-3 months.

Key Points

1

Project nearing completion with estimated August launch

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Expressway reduces travel time to 2.5 hours

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Covers multiple UP and Uttarakhand regions

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Developed at Rs 12,000 crore investment

Malhotra, who is an MP from East Delhi constituency, was informed by officials that the remaining portions of the project would be completed by August.

The MoS expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway and stated that the expressway would be instrumental in decongesting NCT of Delhi.

The MoS, who was accompanied by officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), said the new link to Dehradun would also reduce the load on Delhi-Meerut Expressway and other connecting Highways.

The Minister took cognisance of the various bottlenecks reported by the NHAI officials and directed them to expedite and complete the project in stipulated timeframe so that it would be opened for the general public as per the schedule.

The Minister was informed by NHAI officials that the remaining portions of the project would be completed within 2-3 months.

The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, starting from Akshardham Temple in Delhi would pass through Baghpat, Baraut, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli and Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh) and culminate at Dehradun.

The expressway is being developed at an approximate cost of Rs12,000 crore, with a designated permissible speed of 100 km/hour and reduce travel time from Delhi to Dehradun from the current 6.5 hours to 2.5 hours.

The expressway, would have a spur towards Haridwar and connect Char Dhaam Highway, thus, enhancing the connectivity to the hill stations and pilgrimage sites of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

The Narendra Modi government, with its testament to environment protection, has also developed Asia's largest elevated corridor of length 12 km in Rajaji National Park during the development of this expressway.

Originally planned to be completed by December 2024, the project ran into technical problems and land acquisition issues.

A private plot in Ghaziabad’s Mandola village has posed a challenge as its owner has dragged the authorities to court.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Finally! This expressway will be a game-changer for weekend getaways to Dehradun and Mussoorie. The current 6.5 hour journey is exhausting. Hope they maintain the promised 100kmph speed limit - our highways often become parking lots during peak seasons 🚗💨
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Priya M.
Good to see infrastructure development, but concerned about the environmental impact on Rajaji National Park. While the elevated corridor is appreciated, we must ensure wildlife corridors aren't disrupted. Development and ecology must go hand in hand.
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Amit S.
As someone from Saharanpur, this expressway will boost our local economy tremendously! Better connectivity means more tourism and business opportunities. Just hope the toll charges won't be too high for daily commuters like me.
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Neha T.
Cutting travel time to Dehradun by 4 hours is impressive! This will be a blessing for Char Dham pilgrims too. But I wish the government would also focus on improving public transport options along these expressways, not just private vehicles.
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Sanjay V.
₹12,000 crore project delayed due to one private plot in Ghaziabad? This shows how land acquisition remains a major hurdle in infrastructure projects. The government needs stronger policies to prevent such delays that cost taxpayers money.
K
Kavita R.
The spur to Haridwar is a smart move! During peak pilgrimage seasons, the current routes get so crowded. Hope they maintain the roads properly - many new highways develop potholes within months of opening. Quality should match the investment! 🙏

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Tags:
Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Harsh Malhotra NHAI Infrastructure Development Narendra Modi Government