‘Tree’ Cheers For Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Set To Open Before End Of July With Green Push

By Pune Media On Jun 15, 2025

Last Updated:June 15, 2025, 07:00 IST

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched an initiative to plant approximately 40,000 trees along the Delhi-Dehradun Corridor

The 212-km-long Delhi-Dehradun Expressway includes an 18-km elevated section from Akshardham to the Loni border. (File pic/News18 Hindi)

The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is almost ready, and the entire section is expected to be inaugurated in the coming weeks. On Saturday, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched an initiative to plant approximately 40,000 trees along the Delhi-Dehradun Corridor.

In a statement, the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) said that, to align environmental sustainability with infrastructure growth, a tree plantation drive was held along the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor. While Saturday’s drive took place at Katha Toll Plaza in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat, the plan is to plant 40,000 trees along the entire corridor.

The ministry said the plantation will provide several ecological benefits, including improved air quality, reduced soil erosion, and enhanced biodiversity.

“This dual focus on both environment sustainability and infrastructure development will position Delhi-Dehradun Corridor as a pioneering example of green infrastructure, establishing a new benchmark for green development across the country,” the statement said.

The ministry is executing the plantation drive with a broader vision to green India’s highway network by engaging multiple stakeholders to create a sustainable, tree-lined infrastructure ecosystem.

Boost For Regional Connectivity

Connecting the national capital with Uttarakhand’s capital, the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway aims to significantly enhance regional connectivity.

Originally slated for completion by March 2024, the project faced delays. A partial inauguration planned around the beginning of this year was also postponed. Now, the full stretch is expected to open before the end of July.

The expressway will reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from 5 to 6 hours to just 2 to 2.5 hours. It starts from Akshardham in east Delhi and passes through Baghpat, Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, and Saharanpur.

Beginning near Akshardham Metro Station, the 210-km route runs through Geeta Colony, Shastri Park, and Sonia Vihar in Delhi. It is also expected to ease congestion in east Delhi, which often sees heavy traffic.

‘Finishing Touches’ Remain

A ministry official told News18 that construction is nearly complete, with only minor finishing touches pending.

“We are aiming to open the expressway to traffic before the end of July,” the official said, requesting anonymity.

The expressway, built at an estimated cost of Rs 12,000 crore, is expected to be a game-changer for regional mobility, benefiting both daily commuters and tourists. The entire corridor is designed for driving at a minimum of 100 km/hr.

It will also help decongest the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and other adjacent highways by providing an alternative route.

The expressway will include a spur to Haridwar and connect to the Char Dham Highway, further improving access to Uttarakhand’s hill stations and pilgrimage sites.

Nivedita Singh

Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived…Read More

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