Dehradun-Himachal Highway Slashes Travel Time Drastically
Drivers and commuters between Dehradun in Uttarakhand and Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh are in for a major relief. The travel time on this key route is set to plummet from nearly two hours to just about thirty minutes. This dramatic improvement comes with the ongoing upgradation of the newly constructed National Highway 07.
Project Details and Current Status
The Paonta Sahib-Ballupur project focuses on upgrading and four-laning a 44.8-kilometer stretch of NH-07. It directly connects Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh to Ballupur Chowk in Dehradun. Authorities have already opened traffic on a significant portion of the route. However, work on approximately eight kilometers remains pending out of the total project length.
Saurabh Singh, the Deputy General Manager at the National Highways Authority of India, provided an update. He confirmed that traffic is now operational on the completed 31.5-kilometer section. This move followed a thorough road safety audit to ensure everyone's safety. Singh also clarified that toll collection at Dharmawala currently applies only to this finished stretch.
A Vital Corridor for Multiple Users
This corridor serves as a crucial artery for the region. It is heavily used by daily commuters, industrial and commercial vehicles, and tourists. The upgrade significantly improves access to Yamunotri Dham, which is the first shrine on the revered Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage circuit.
Currently, the existing road between Paonta Sahib and Ballupur measures about 52 kilometers. The new project cleverly incorporates a 25-kilometer greenfield highway. This section acts as a bypass to ease congestion in several towns, including Paonta Sahib, Herbertpur, Sahaspur, Selaqui, and Sudhowala.
Broader Connectivity and Economic Impact
The National Highways Authority of India highlights the project's wider significance. Once complete, this upgraded highway, along with its greenfield section, will function as an extension of the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor. That larger corridor is already at an advanced stage of implementation.
This integration promises substantial benefits. It is expected to ease traffic congestion within Dehradun city by diverting through-traffic away from urban centers. Furthermore, it will enhance regional and inter-state connectivity across Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
Financial Scope and Timeline
The undertaking carries a substantial price tag of Rs 21,646 crore. This cost encompasses land acquisition, necessary forest clearances, and the shifting of utilities. The project impacts a total of 25 villages—21 located in Uttarakhand and four in Himachal Pradesh.
Officials report that all major bridges, underpasses, and critical structural works are finished. Current construction efforts are concentrated on limited stretches. This work involves reinforced earth walls and the final pavement layer. The target for full project completion is set for February 2026.
