- The Delhi-Saharanpur-Dehradun Expressway began a public trial run on a 32 km segment from Delhi to Baghpat
- The expressway will reduce Delhi-Dehradun travel time from 6 hours to about 2-2.5 hours once completed
- New parking and rest facilities with modern amenities are being developed along the Delhi section
The much-anticipated Delhi-Saharanpur-Dehradun Expressway has opened for a trial run, marking a major step forward in enhancing connectivity between the National Capital Region and Uttarakhand. Once fully operational, the new expressway is expected to reduce the Delhi-Dehradun journey from the current 6-6.5 hours to just 2-2.5 hours - a significant improvement for both frequent travellers and tourists heading towards the popular mountain destination. The 210 km corridor will link Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, offering a streamlined, high-speed route that is set to ease congestion on several busy stretches.
Trial Run Underway For Commuters
According to ANI, the first 32 km stretch of the expressway opened for public trial on Monday. This initial segment begins at Akshardham Temple in Delhi and runs through Geeta Colony, Shastri Park, and Mandola Vihar in Ghaziabad before reaching Khekra in Baghpat.
The segment is expected to be formally inaugurated in the last week of December or the first week of January, ANI reported.
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Commuters Welcome The New Development
Travellers using the route during the trial period welcomed the development. A motorcyclist, Lokesh, told ANI that the new stretch would help bypass traffic-heavy areas. "This expressway will help us because it will save us from traffic jams. It will save time. We hope the government will open it soon and hand it over to the public," he said.
Toll-Free Trial Period For Expressway
An NHAI official (National Highways Authority of India), speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Hindustan Times that no toll would be levied for the one-month trial period, allowing commuters to experience the new route before it becomes fully operational.
Traffic Relief For NCR
Officials noted that the Akshardham-Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) segment is expected to significantly reduce congestion for those travelling towards Ghaziabad and Noida. By providing a direct, high-speed alternative, the expressway is likely to divert thousands of vehicles from existing crowded corridors.
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Enhanced Facilities Along The Route
NHAI is also developing new parking and rest facilities along the Delhi portion, between Akshardham Junction and the Uttar Pradesh border. Three modern sites - near the East Delhi district magistrate's office, Gandhi Nagar market, and Geeta Colony - will feature restrooms, drinking water units, solar-powered lighting, first-aid rooms, and electronic parking systems.
The largest facility will be the Gandhi Nagar site, spread across 1.4 hectares, followed by the DM office site (0.8 hectares) and the Geeta Colony site (0.78 hectares). 10 per cent of parking capacity will be reserved for electric vehicles. Additional amenities will include food kiosks, ATMs, air-filling stations, Pollution Under Control (PUC) centres, and other utilities.
Current Status Of The Delhi-Saharanpur-Dehradun Expressway Project
The entire Rs 11,868.6-crore project was initially slated for completion in December 2024. An official quoted by Hindustan Times said that although the Delhi-side stretches are largely ready, some sections closer to Dehradun require further safety audits before final opening.
