Delhi-Dehradun Expressway to Be Extended to Mussoorie for Traffic Relief
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari declared on Tuesday that the Delhi–Dehradun expressway will be extended to Mussoorie, aiming to alleviate congestion in Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand. This strategic move is part of a broader initiative to enhance connectivity and boost tourism in the Himalayan state.
Major Road Projects and Completion Timelines
Gadkari provided detailed updates on several key infrastructure projects. The 51 km, six-lane road from Saharanpur Bypass to Haridwar is scheduled for inauguration in June. Additionally, the Paonta Sahib-Dehradun four-lane road, constructed at a cost of ₹1,650 crore, is set to become operational by next month.
Other significant projects include:
- The four-lane green field bypass phase-1 in Haridwar, with a budget of ₹1,600 crore, expected to be completed by October 2026.
- The Rishikesh bypass project, worth ₹1,100 crore, will commence work by August.
- A 21 km-long four-lane bypass in Rudrapur slated for completion in October this year.
- A 15 km-long four-lane bypass in Kashipur anticipated to be finished by December 2026.
Comprehensive Infrastructure Investment in Uttarakhand
Since the NDA government assumed office, projects worth ₹1.3 lakh crore have been initiated in Uttarakhand. Of these, ₹25,000 crore worth of projects have been completed, while ₹35,000 crore worth are currently under execution. Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been prepared for projects valued at ₹80,000 crore, indicating a robust pipeline for future development.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route and Landslide Mitigation
On the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route, a 370-km road from Tanakpur to Pithoragarh and Lipulekh is under construction, with 200 km already completed. The remaining stretch is projected to be finished within a year. To address safety concerns, a landslide mitigation plan is being developed in collaboration with a Switzerland-based institute and local experts. An allocation of ₹4,300 crore has been approved for 296 such projects, and work on black spots has been completed with an expenditure of ₹907 crore.
Additional Road and Ropeway Developments
Further infrastructure enhancements include:
- The 12 km-long Dehradun–Jhajhra Asharodi four-lane elevated road, expected to be completed by April next year.
- The 20 km-long four-lane Bhaniyawala-Jollygrant-Rishikesh road, targeted for completion by April 2028.
- A DPR is being prepared for an ₹800 crore two-lane bypass in Srinagar.
Regarding the Char Dham road project, 640 km of the 825 km-long route, valued at ₹12,000 crore, has been completed. Work on the ₹1,300 crore Rudraprayag-Gaurikund stretch is set to begin by December 2026. Additionally, ropeway projects are being planned for Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib to improve accessibility to these pilgrimage sites.
