Rs.12,000cr Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor inaugurated
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted that more than Rs.2.25 lakh crore infrastructure projects are currently underway in Uttarakhand and the newly inaugurated Rs.12,000 crore Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor will give fresh momentum to state’s growth.
The expressway marks a landmark moment in the development of Uttarakhand and the broader region, he underlined, reflecting on Uttarakhand’s journey with progressive economy.
The 213 km long six-lane access-controlled Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor has been developed at a cost of over ₹12,000 crore. The corridor traverses through the states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and will reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from over six hours at present to around two and a half hours.
Implementation of the project also includes the construction of 10 interchanges, three Railway Over Bridges (ROBs), four major bridges and 12 wayside amenities to enable seamless high-speed connectivity. The corridor is equipped with an Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) to provide a safer and more efficient travel experience for commuters.
The Prime Minister remarked that a nation’s future is written in its roads, highways, expressways, airways, railways and waterways.
Enumerating recent developments in the Delhi-Western UP-Uttarakhand region, the Prime Minister noted the expansion of Delhi Metro, the launch of Metro services in Meerut, the inauguration of the Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat Rail, the commencement of the Noida International Airport and MRO facility, all within a short span of time.
“Imagine the scale at which infrastructure is being built across the entire country, what is happening in this one small region is just a glimpse of that,” PM Modi highlighted.
Detailing the transformative benefits of the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, the Prime Minister highlighted the project’s multi-dimensional impact on the region.
“With an investment of Rs.12,000 crore already infused into construction, the project has emerged as a major employment engine, providing livelihoods to thousands of engineers, laborers, and transport workers,” said PM Modi, emphasizing that farmers and animal herders will also benefit as their produce reaches larger markets with greater speed.
He observed that the corridor, which passes through Ghaziabad, Baghpat, Baraut, Shamli, and Saharanpur, is poised to revitalize these cities in Uttar Pradesh as well. “This is not just a road; it opens new avenues for trade, industry, warehousing, and logistics across the entire region,” asserted the PM.
Emphasising the tourism potential of the new expressway, the Prime Minister noted that Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mussoorie and the Char Dham circuit will all be more accessible.
He pointed out, “Uttarakhand is increasingly becoming a premier destination for winter tourism, winter sports and destination weddings.”
Stressing the government’s commitment to balancing progress with nature and culture, the Prime Minister highlighted the construction of a nearly 12-kilometre elevated wildlife corridor as part of the expressway, designed to ensure that animals, including elephants, face no disruption. Fiinews.com
