Delhi–Saharanpur–Dehradun Expressway opens for trial run today | Know the route, toll, timings and more
The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, which passes through Baghpat, Shamli and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh was opened for trial run on Monday. This road is expected to cut down travel time between the national capital and Uttarakhand's capital considerably. Currently the travel time between these 2 destinations is 6 to 6.5 hours. Once this Expressway opens the travel time would come down to 2.5 hours.
New Delhi: The Delhi-Saharanpur-Dehradun Expressway, described by many as one of the most ambitious highway projects in the country, opened for a trial run for the public on Monday, December 1. The Highway is 210 kilometres long and has 6 lanes. As barricades were removed this morning, vehicles started playing smoothly on the stretch of the road.
Commuters expressed happiness on the road being opened for public use. A motorcyclist was quoted by news agency ANI as saying, "Today it has been opened for a trial run. This expressway will help us because it will save us from traffic jams. It will save time. We hope the government will open it soon and hand it over to the public."
Delhi Dehradun Expressway: Know the length of the road, route
The Delhi-Saharanpur-Dehradun Expressway is 210 kilometre long and is designed as a 12/6 Expressway. This new route will cut down travel times between Delhi and Dehradun from the current 6.5 hours to 2.5 hours.
The project cost the government a whooping Rs 13,000 crore. The Expressway has essential amenities like emergency services, eateries and fuel stations. The entire expressway is also dotted with trees on both sides, thus highlighting the government's focus on increasing green cover in the country.
This Expressway is described as being one of the most modern that the country has ever had and promises to make commuters' travel much more smoother.
The Expressway begins at the Akshardham temple in Delhi and ends in Dehradun. It passes through several major cities of Uttar Pradesh like Baghpat, Shamli and Saharanpur. It is also connected to the Eastern Peripheral Expressway at Khekra. The toll rates on the Expressway are yet to be decided. It is however clear that the toll would be similar to what commuters pay for using other Expressways and will depend on the distance. The first stretch of the route, between Akshardhan and Loni is set to remain toll free.
The Expressway was constructed in 6 phases, the first of which, between Akshardham and the Eastern Peripheral Expressway junction, was completed 6 months back. The Expressway includes a 12-kilometre long corridor in the Rajaji National Park area and has 6 underpasses, to allow wildlife to easily pass through without the fear of getting hit by any crossing vehicle.
The primary aim of this project is to provide faster connectivity to commuters between Delhi and Dehradun. Not only will it reduce travel time but it is also expected to boost economic development, tourism and trade in the region.
This Expressway is expected to open for public use by early 2026.The road will open only after it passes through all safety checks and receives final clearances from central agencies overseeing the project.