Delhi Dehradun Expressway: The ambitious Delhi-Dehradun Expressway project, which promises to cut travel time from over six hours to just 2.5 hours, remains stuck in delays despite partial progress. While Phase 1 of the expressway (Delhi’s Akshardham to Baghpat) was completed and opened in March 2025, the remaining stretches are still pending, leaving commuters waiting for a full rollout.
Current Status of the Project
The expressway, being developed in four phases, is designed to drastically improve connectivity between Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Here’s where things stand:
- Phase 1: Akshardham (Delhi) to Khekra (Baghpat) – Completed and partially operational
- Phase 2: Eastern Peripheral Expressway to Saharanpur – Nearing completion
- Phase 3: Saharanpur to Ganeshpur (Uttarakhand border) – In advanced stages
- Phase 4: Ganeshpur to Dehradun – Delayed due to land dispute in Ghaziabad’s Mandola region
Why the Delay?
The major roadblock comes from a legal dispute over land acquisition in Mandola, Ghaziabad. Court hearings were expected in April 2025, but there has been no conclusive update since then. Until this issue is resolved, Phase 4—which includes India’s longest elevated wildlife corridor—cannot be completed.
Public Anger and Online Reactions
Frustration is mounting among daily commuters and frequent travelers. Many have taken to social media to voice their anger.
- Devendra Pratap Singh, an X user, said people have been suffering for over two years because of the constant delays.
- Another user, Anand Sankar, posted that the project “keeps missing deadlines,” echoing the sentiment of many impatient travelers.
Why It Matters
Once the expressway is fully functional, travel between Delhi and Dehradun will be cut by almost half, bringing the journey down to just 2.5 hours. The project is also expected to boost economic activity, promote tourism in Uttarakhand, and ease congestion in western Uttar Pradesh.
The Road Ahead
For now, commuters can only benefit from partially opened stretches of the expressway. However, without clarity from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on the completion of Phases 2, 3, and especially Phase 4, the project’s promise remains unfulfilled.
