There is welcome news for commuters travelling between Delhi and Dehradun as the long-awaited Delhi–Dehradun Expressway has reached its final stage of construction. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari informed Parliament that the project is nearly complete and is expected to be opened for traffic by January 2026.
The expressway is being developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at an estimated cost of around ₹11,868 crore. Once operational, it is expected to significantly ease travel between the national capital and Uttarakhand, while also reducing congestion on existing routes.
Route and Key Features of the Delhi Dehradun Expressway
The Delhi–Dehradun Expressway will begin near the Akshardham Temple in Delhi and pass through several districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Baghpat, Baraut, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli and Saharanpur, before terminating in Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand. The project is a 210-km-long, six-lane, access-controlled greenfield highway designed to ensure faster and safer travel.
Construction Status and Reasons for Delay
Initially, the project was scheduled for completion by October 2025. However, the deadline has now been extended to January 2026. According to reports, Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that while most of the construction work has been completed, legal hurdles related to a 70-metre service road stretch between Akshardham and the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) caused delays in finishing the remaining section.
Travel Time to Be Reduced to Nearly 2.5 Hours
The expressway will have a speed limit of 100 kmph. Once opened, the travel time between Delhi and Dehradun is expected to reduce dramatically—from the current 6.5 hours to around 2.5 hours. This reduction in travel time is likely to benefit daily commuters, tourists, and the transport sector, while also boosting economic activity in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The project is being seen as a major infrastructure boost that will improve regional connectivity, promote tourism, and enhance overall road travel experience between the two states.
