The biggest contribution to the road infrastructure and connectivity within the region has come with the opening of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, which has made it very easy to travel between Delhi and Dehradun, and the time taken in the process has been reduced to around 2-2.5 hours only. The new expressway is likely to change the travel, tourism, and economic activity in the whole of northern India.
The expressway is a high-speed, access-controlled highway that covers a distance of more than 200 kilometres and connects a number of major towns and districts in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The trip between the two cities used to take approximately 5-6 hours based on the state of the roads, but the new route can guarantee a quicker and easier ride for commuters.
The expressway originates around Akshardham, Delhi and traverses Baghpat, Baraut, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, and Saharanpur before reaching Dehradun. It also has a spur that links to Haridwar and is very useful to pilgrims and tourists visiting religious sites and hill stations such as Mussoorie.
The eco-sensitive design is one of the best elements of the project. Much of the expressway cuts through the Rajaji National Park, and special precautions have been made to safeguard animals. This involves a high-level animal traffic system and special underpasses to make sure that natural habitats are disturbed as little as possible.
The expressway is planned to have six lanes (later to be able to reach eight lanes), which allows high-speed movement of up to 100 km/h. It has several interchanges, service roads and sophisticated traffic management systems to improve safety and efficiency. There will also be wayside facilities like rest areas, fuel stations and food courts which will be located along the route to enhance the travelling experience.
Officials are convinced that the expressway will not only alleviate congestion on the available highways but will also enhance tourism in Uttarakhand, as destinations will be more accessible. It is also likely to facilitate trade and logistics since it will facilitate the movement of goods within the plains and hills at a faster rate.
The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is a milestone in the development of infrastructure in India and will provide a modern, efficient and eco-friendly route to travel to millions of individuals.
