213-km expressway promises faster travel, improved connectivity, and eco-friendly infrastructure.
April 14, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway, a major infrastructure project aimed at boosting connectivity between the national capital and Uttarakhand. Ahead of the launch, he inspected the wildlife corridor in Saharanpur and offered prayers at the Maa Dat Kali Temple. A roadshow in Saharanpur drew large crowds, as the Prime Minister later proceeded to Dehradun to dedicate the project to the nation.
The 213-kilometre, six-lane access-controlled expressway—also known as the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor—has been built at a cost of over ₹12,000 crore. Spanning Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, it is expected to reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from more than six hours to about two and a half hours. The project includes multiple interchanges, bridges, and modern facilities, along with an Advanced Traffic Management System to enhance safety and efficiency.
A key highlight of the corridor is its focus on sustainability, including a 12-kilometre elevated wildlife passage—one of the longest in Asia—designed to ensure safe animal movement. The expressway also features toll plazas with concessional rates for FASTag users and has been developed using a mix of greenfield and brownfield models. The project is being seen as a significant step in India’s infrastructure push, combining speed, technology, and environmental considerations.