Delhi–Dehradun Expressway Nears Launch: 2.5-Hour Drive on the Horizon

Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra has declared the 210-km Delhi–Saharanpur–Dehradun Expressway “on track for opening in the next few months” after completing an on-site review with NHAI engineers. The ₹12,000-crore, six-lane greenfield corridor starts near Akshardham Temple in Delhi, runs through Baghpat, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, and terminates in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Engineered for 100 km/h travel, it promises to shrink the current 6.5-hour road trip to just 2.5 hours, easing heavy traffic on the Delhi–Meerut Expressway and surrounding arterial routes.

A dedicated spur to Haridwar and inter-linkage with the Char Dham Highway will improve pilgrimage and tourist connectivity across the northern hill states. Sustainability features include Asia’s longest 12-km elevated wildlife corridor across Rajaji National Park, safeguarding elephant and tiger crossings.

NHAI projects an initial daily traffic of 30,000 vehicles, with fuel savings of roughly 320 million litres a year and more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs generated during construction and operation. Malhotra has instructed teams to clear remaining bottlenecks so the expressway can welcome summer travellers and serve as a template for faster, greener highway delivery. The route will also aid swift evacuation during natural disasters, enhancing regional resilience.