Delhi-Dehradun Greenfield Access Controlled Expressway is in full swing. This expressway, spanning 212 kilometers, starts from the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near Akshardham in Delhi. According to media reports, the expressway will become operational in March this year.
The mega project has been divided into four segments and will pass through Shastri Park, Khajuri Khas, Mandola in Uttar Pradesh, EPE interchange at Baghpat, Shamli, Khekra in Saharanpur and finally connect Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The initiative, costing over Rs 10,000 crore, aims to significantly reduce travel time.
Once completed, the travel time from Delhi to Haridwar or Dehradun in Uttarakhand will be reduced to 2 hours 30 minutes respectively, significantly reduced from the current six to five hours journey.
The expressway has a 12 km long wildlife elevated corridor, the largest in Asia, promoting free movement of wildlife. Additionally, a 340-metre tunnel near the Dott Kali Temple in Dehradun has been designed to minimize wildlife disturbance. Additionally, the Ganeshpur-Dehradun section has multiple animal crossings, reducing the risk of animal-vehicle collisions.
According to officials involved in the project, the construction of the corridor will not only boost the regional economy but will also boost tourism. The comprehensive project includes construction of five road overbridges, 110 vehicle underpasses, 76 km of service roads in densely populated areas, as well as mass expansion of 29 km of elevated sections and establishment of 16 entry-exit points across the entire corridor.
The expressway is engineered for a minimum speed of 100 kilometers per hour, with facilities planned every 25–30 kilometres. This development is expected to boost regional economic growth, particularly benefiting Uttarakhand’s tourism sector. The project operates under EPC mode, promising better road user experience and better connectivity.