Preparations are in full swing for the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway inauguration on Tuesday, 14 April. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate the much-awaited route connecting the national capital with Dehradun shortly.
He will also deliver a keynote address at a public gathering in Uttarakhand. The opening of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway will also link key districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Baghpat, Baraut, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli and Saharanpur, to Delhi and Dehradun.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Governor Anandiben Patel, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak are among the top officials attending the event.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi reviewed the wildlife corridor on the elevated stretch of the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor. After this, he offered prayers at the Maa Daat Kali Temple near Dehradun. PM Modi is holding a roadshow in Dehradun ahead of the inauguration.
Key features of Delhi-Dehradun Expressway
Marking a major boost to road connectivity in North India, this 213-km-long Greenfield corridor will cut short travel time between the two cities by around 3.5 to 4 hours. This implies that one could reach Dehradun from Delhi and vice versa in just 2-2.5 hours, as compared to the earlier 6 hours.
This corridor includes six-lanes, 14 wayside amenities, multiple bridges, interchanges, and rail overbridges. With a speed limit of 100 kmph and a six-lane access-controlled design, the project is estimated to cost ₹12,000-13,000 crore. It begins near Akshardham in Delhi and goes all the way to Dehradun. Featuring a wildlife-friendly design, its structure includes a 12-km elevated corridor, one of the longest in Asia.
Another attractive feature of this Economic Corridor is the elephant underpasses that will allow animals to cross the busy route safely, minimising ecological impact.
"The corridor also includes eight animal passes, two elephant underpasses of 200 metres each, and a 370-metre-long tunnel near the Daat Kali temple," a PIB press release states.
Key features that are expected to reduce congestion and improve the overall driving experience include:
- Access-controlled entry and exit points
- Interchanges and underpasses
- Service roads for local traffic
- FASTag-based toll collection
Beginning in the Akshardham area of Delhi, the corridor is expected to connect to the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) near Khekra, and then continue through parts of Uttar Pradesh towards Saharanpur before finally ending in Dehradun.
What about toll charges on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway?
Once the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway becomes fully operational, toll charges are expected to apply. According to media reports, approximate toll charges for a one-way trip in a passenger car between Delhi and Dehradun can go as high as ₹670. However, the rates have not been confirmed yet and will be announced by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).