In a significant boost to connectivity between the national capital and the hill state, trial runs have officially commenced on the much-anticipated Delhi-Dehradun Expressway. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) confirmed that operations have started on two completed stretches, bringing the project closer to its final goal of reducing travel time dramatically.
Project Status and Official Announcements
The development follows a statement made by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, in Parliament on December 17. The minister had announced that the Rs 12,000-crore expressway was expected to become operational within the next 10 to 15 days. Once fully functional, the expressway is set to revolutionize travel by cutting down the journey from Delhi to Dehradun from the current six hours to approximately 2.5 hours.
Minister Gadkari noted that final touches were being applied to the project, which is strategically designed to eventually link with the massive Delhi-Mumbai Expressway network. This announcement came after earlier promises made in July and August of an October inauguration, which faced delays.
Reasons for Delay and Current Progress
According to NHAI officials, the primary reason for the postponed launch was the need to relocate a major high-voltage transmission line. "We sought time until December for shifting a 400 kV transmission line in Muzaffarnagar," an official explained. "The work is about 50% complete and should be finished by the end of this month or early next month."
The sections currently open for trial runs span a total of 30 kilometers. These include:
- The segment from Akshardham in east Delhi to the Uttar Pradesh border near Loni in Ghaziabad.
- The subsequent stretch from there to Khekra in Baghpat.
The remaining four packages of the 212-kilometer expressway are now projected to open in January. These sections will pass through key districts:
- A 27km stretch from Khekra to Lohadda village.
- Approximately 30km from Lohadda to Karaunda Mahajan village.
- 26km from Karaunda Mahajan to Khyawari village.
- 37km from Khyawari to Latifpur village at the Saharanpur bypass.
The expressway will finally enter Dehradun via the Biharigarh, Ganeshpur, and Asharodi route.
Infrastructure and Amenities
The completed Delhi-Dehradun Expressway will be a infrastructure marvel, featuring extensive facilities for commuters and ensuring smooth traffic flow. The project's blueprint includes:
- 113 vehicular underpasses to eliminate intersections.
- 62 bus shelters for public transport users.
- A dedicated 76-kilometer service road.
- 16 entry points and 12 wayside amenities for traveler comfort.
In a related development, an elevated road from Asharodi (Dehradun) to Ganeshpur is also complete and is slated for inauguration soon, further enhancing last-mile connectivity to the city.
The commencement of trial runs marks a critical phase, allowing authorities to test systems and ensure safety before the official public launch. This project stands as a testament to the government's push for enhancing national highway infrastructure, promising not just faster travel but also boosting tourism and economic activity in the region.
