New expressway to link Delhi and Dehradun in 2.5 hours; to boost jobs and economy: Nitin Gadkari

The Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday said Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is not just an economic corridor but it will empower Uttarakhand’s development by creating new employment opportunities.  

“With the construction of this expressway, it will open new doors for economic and social growth in Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, and the entire state,” he said during the inauguration ceremony of the new economic corridor.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new expressway which is expected to significantly boost Uttarakhand's trade and economy. UP CM Yogi Aditiyanth, Delhi CM Rekhta Gupta, and Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami were also present during the ceremony.

The highway, built at a cost of ₹12,000 crore, is a 213-km-long six-lane greenfield corridor that starts from the Delhi–Meerut highway and passes through Akshardham, Shastri Park, Khajoori Khas, Baghpat, Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, and Saharanpur before reaching Dehradun.  

“Currently, it takes about 8 hours to travel from Delhi to Dehradun, but the new corridor will reduce the travel time to just 2.5 hours,” Gadkari said.  

Modern features for safer travel 

The corridor is equipped with an Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) to monitor traffic and enhance safety. It includes multiple interchanges, railway overbridges, major bridges, and several wayside facilities for travellers. With over 100 underpasses and multiple connectivity points, the expressway links to key routes such as the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway and the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, enabling smooth movement across regions. 

Focus on wildlife protection 

A key highlight of the project is its alignment through ecologically sensitive zones. A 12-km elevated wildlife corridor, among the longest in Asia, allows animals to move freely across forest areas. It features animal crossings, dedicated underpasses for elephants, and a tunnel near the Daat Kali temple, all designed to minimise human-animal conflict while preserving ecological balance. 

Phased development and key sections 

The expressway has been developed in phases, starting from Delhi and extending to Dehradun. Some stretches, including a key 32-km section linking parts of Delhi to Baghpat, were opened earlier and are already operational. The remaining sections complete the corridor, creating a continuous high-speed route between the two cities.