The Dehradun-Delhi Expressway, a major infrastructure project designed to significantly cut travel time between Uttarakhand’s capital and the national capital, is nearing completion. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that the expressway is targeted to be completed by October 2025.
Responding to a query raised by Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, the minister stated that the ministry has undertaken extensive environmental mitigation measures during the project’s execution. A total of 17,913 trees were felled for the construction of the expressway. As compensation, plantation activities are being carried out across 157.2 hectares at a cost of ₹22.05 crore by the respective forest departments.
In addition, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has already planted 50,600 saplings along the right of way of the highway. Furthermore, ₹40 crore has been allocated to the Shivalik Forest Division in Uttar Pradesh and the Dehradun Forest Division in Uttarakhand as part of an environmental restoration plan.
The minister also assured that all necessary landslide mitigation measures have been adopted in line with the guidelines of the Indian Roads Congress, particularly in vulnerable areas along the route.
Once operational, the expressway is expected to be a game-changer for connectivity in the region, enabling faster movement of people and goods between Delhi and Dehradun.
