Delhi–Saharanpur–Dehradun Expressway opens for trial run; inauguration expected soon

NEW DELHI: The Delhi–Saharanpur–Dehradun Expressway has began for a trial run on Monday, marking a key milestone in the 213km corridor project that aims to significantly improve connectivity between Delhi and Dehradun.After completion, the expressway is projected to reduce the 6–6.5-hour trip to roughly 2–2.5 hours. Unlike the existing route between the two cities, which passes through Meerut, Muzaffarnagar and Roorkee, the elevated one will connect via Baghpat and Saharanpur. Commuters using the route on the first day of the trial run said the new expressway is already helping reduce congestion. A motorcyclist said, "Today it has been opened for a trial run. 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." The final 20km stretch between Dehradun and Biharigarh in Saharanpur — including a 12km elevated road from Asharodi to Ganeshpur — is almost complete. Vehicles have been allowed to use this portion on a trial basis to assess safety and traffic flow. Officials said the new wildlife corridor passing through Rajaji National Park and the Shivalik Reserve Forest would reduce travel time on a historically slow section, which earlier took 45 minutes to an hour due to heavy vehicle movement. Once the elevated corridor becomes fully functional, the same distance is expected to take only 15–20 minutes.