Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Vs Vande Bharat: Road Takes A Win This Time

The inauguration of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway has significantly slashed the travel time between the two cities. Travellers on the newly inaugurated six-lane corridor can complete their journey within 2.5 hours. Apart from the eway, travellers commuting between the two cities have the option of using the Vande Bharat operated by Indian Railways. It naturally evokes the thought of evaluating the efficiency of two options in terms of cost and time. Here we have a breakdown to find out which is the better mode of transportation.

Bus vs Train: Vande Bharat or Volvo

Using the new Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, the buses operating on the route can complete the journey within 2.5 hours (officially mentioned as 3 hours by UTC). On the other hand, the Vande Bharat Express officially has a travel time of 4 hours and 45 minutes.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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Similarly, travelling via bus is also more efficient in terms of cost.  At the time of writing, the cost of a Volvo Non Stop bus leaving from Delhi's Kashmiri Gate for Dehradun ISBT is Rs 709 as per UTC (Uttarakhand Transport Corporation). Meanwhile, a chair car in the Vande Bharat Express costs Rs 1075, while the Executive Car costs Rs 1900, making it relatively more expensive.

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Travellers Using a Car

People travelling in groups can benefit even more from the expressway by using a car for their journey. For example, a group of four people travelling in a car offering a mileage of 15 kmpl can complete the journey within 2.5 hours, but for a much lower cost, here's how:

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Considering the group begins its journey from Akshardham in Delhi, covering a distance of 213 km, it will require 14.2 litres of petrol with a car having an efficiency of 15 kmpl. Considering the cost of petrol to be Rs 94.77 (cost of petrol in Delhi at the time of writing), the total fuel expense amounts to Rs 1345.73. Adding the cost of toll (Rs 675), the total expense for the journey is Rs 2020.73. Hence, the per-person cost is Rs 505.

Outcome

The bus turns out to be the most viable option for individual travellers, whereas group travellers can benefit by travelling via a personal vehicle. Although the travel time is the same, the cost of the journey is significantly lower.