Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 16 Nov: The Paonta Sahib–Dehradun corridor is a critically important route connecting the states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, carrying a high volume of daily passenger, industrial, and commercial traffic. At present, the capital city of Dehradun, along with nearby tourist and industrial areas along the Paonta Sahib- Ballupur corridor, experiences severe daily traffic congestion, resulting in excessive travel time, fuel consumption, and operational inefficiencies for road users. Due to increasing traffic pressure, limited carriageway width, ribbon development, and rapid urban expansion along the corridor, the existing road network had been facing persistent congestion and road safety challenges for several years. In order to address these issues and meet future traffic demand, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) approved the Paonta Sahib- Ballupur Four-Lane National Highway Project (NH-07).
The Paonta Sahib- Ballupur project involves the upgradation and four-laning of a 44.800 km stretch of NH-07, extending from Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh to Ballupur Chowk, Dehradun. The corridor serves as a vital route for daily commuters, industrial and commercial traffic, and tourists, while also providing improved access to Yamunotri Dham, the first shrine of the Char Dham Yatra. The existing Paonta Sahib- Ballupur road has an overall length of approximately 52 km, extending from km 97.00 at Paonta Sahib to km 148.80 at Ballupur Chowk, Dehradun. Under the current project, the proposed four-laning includes approximately 25 km of new greenfield highway, which has been developed as a bypass to congested towns such as Paonta Sahib, Herbertpur, Sahaspur, Selaqui, and Sudhowala. This greenfield bypass results in a reduction of approximately 7 km in route length, leading to substantial savings in travel time and fuel consumption, while ensuring a smoother, safer, and more efficient driving experience. The existing two-lane highway had become inadequate due to increasing traffic volumes and safety constraints. The upgraded four-lane configuration has therefore been designed to provide enhanced road safety, higher capacity, and long-term operational efficiency.
Integration with Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor: To further address congestion issues, NHAI has undertaken the upgradation of this corridor along with the development of a Greenfield highway, which will function as an extension of the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor, currently at an advanced stage of implementation. This integration will play a crucial role in decongesting Dehradun city by diverting through-traffic and providing seamless regional and inter-state connectivity.
The project is being executed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) in two packages: Package-I: Paonta Sahib to Mednipur (18.700 km) Implemented at a cost of Rs 553.21 crore, this package includes the construction of the 1,175metre-long four-lane Yamuna River Bridge, a major engineering landmark of the project. Package-II: Mednipur to Ballupur, Dehradun (26.100 km) Executed at a cost of ₹1,093 crore, this stretch incorporates multiple underpasses, service roads, and urban bypass sections to facilitate smooth traffic flow around densely populated areas. The total project cost is ₹1,646.21 crore, including expenditure on land acquisition, forest clearance, and utility shifting. The project affects 25 villages, of which 21 are located in Uttarakhand and 4 in Himachal Pradesh. Current Status and Traffic Management: All major bridges, underpasses, and structural works under both packages have been completed. Limited stretches involving reinforced earth (RE) walls and final pavement works are currently under progress and are targeted for completion by February 2026. Traffic has been opened for commercial operation on completed 31.50 km section of the project highway after road safety audit to ensure safe travel of the commuters.
Key Engineering and Safety Features: The project incorporates advanced engineering solutions and robust safety measures, including: · 1,175 m long four-lane Yamuna River Bridge · 105 m long four-lane Asan River Bridge · Three-beam crash barriers at high embankments · Antiglare screens to reduce headlight glare · 24×7 highway surveillance through PTZ cameras · Improved signage, road markings, and modern lighting systems · Environment-friendly construction practices, including the use of Tensor technology to reduce bitumen consumption · Extensive slope protection and plantation to promote a green and sustainable corridor
Independent safety audits have been conducted, and all recommended measures have been implemented to enhance road user safety.
Public Benefits and Future Connectivity: Upon completion, the project is expected to: · Reduce travel time between Paonta Sahib and Dehradun from nearly two hours to approximately 35 minutes · Significantly decongest Dehradun city by diverting through-traffic · Strengthen connectivity with the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor · Support tourism, trade, industrial growth, and employment generation · Provide reliable all-weather connectivity for local communities and interstate traffic In the long term, the corridor will also integrate with the proposed Dehradun–Mussoorie connectivity, enabling direct access to Mussoorie without entering congested urban areas. NHAI remains committed to developing safe, sustainable, and future-ready highway infrastructure that balances engineering excellence with environmental responsibility and public convenience. The Paonta Sahib- Ballupur Four-Lane National Highway Project stands as a significant step towards achieving seamless regional connectivity, enhanced road safety, and an improved quality of life for road users.
