Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: In a major boost to regional connectivity and infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14 inaugurated the six-lane Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor in Dehradun.
Spanning 213 km, the access-controlled corridor has been built at a cost exceeding Rs12,000 crore. It passes through Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and is expected to reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from over six hours to around two-and-a-half hours. The highway distance between the two cities, which was 235 km, will now be reduced to 210 km.
The project includes 10 interchanges, three railway over bridges (ROBs), four major bridges and 12 wayside amenities designed to facilitate smoother and faster travel. An Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) has also been integrated to improve safety and efficiency, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Given the ecological sensitivity of the region, the corridor incorporates multiple features aimed at reducing human-animal conflict. These include a 12-km-long elevated wildlife corridor—among the longest in Asia—along with eight animal passes, two elephant underpasses of 200 metres each, and a 370-metre tunnel near the Daat Kali temple.
The PMO said the project is expected to strengthen regional economic activity by improving access to key tourism hubs and commercial centres, while also opening new avenues for trade and development.
Earlier, the Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd during a roadshow in Dehradun. Large numbers of people gathered along the sides of the road, chanting “Modiji aapka swagat hai”, “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, and “Modi, Modi”, while waving the Tricolour and the BJP flag.
While on the way to inaugurate the Economic Corridor, PM Modi also offered prayers at the Jai Maa Daat Kali Temple in Dehradun. Before that, he reviewed the wildlife corridor on the elevated section of the Economic Corridor in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur.
Union Highways and Transportation Minister Nitin Gadkari, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak were also present.