By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 14 Apr: Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari was also present in Dehradun during the inauguration of Delhi-Dehradun Expressway today by Prime Minister Narenda Modi. He addressed the gathering at Jaswant Ground at Garhi Cantt on the occasion and announced a massive pipeline of infrastructure projects worth Rs 80,000 crores in Uttarakhand. Gadkari asserted that these initiatives would significantly accelerate the state’s economic, social and industrial development.
Addressing the gathering, Gadkari first paid tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar and described him as an enduring source of inspiration for social equality. The Union Minister said that the project inaugurated by the Prime Minister would give a major boost to Uttarakhand’s development and tourism sector. He emphasised that the expressway would not only reduce travel time from the existing six hours to about 2.5 hours but would also make travel safer, smoother and more economical.
He observed that, with the completion of the expressway, new avenues of economic, social and industrial growth would open up for Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh and the entire state. Gadkari further stated that a 51-kilometre six-lane “power road” from the Saharanpur bypass to Haridwar is also nearing completion and is expected to be inaugurated in June. He highlighted that the 12-kilometre elevated corridor between Ganeshpur and Dehradun has been constructed with special provisions for wildlife protection, reflecting the government’s commitment to environmental conservation.
Gadkari stressed that economy, ecology and environment are the three key pillars of society, and he emphasised on the need to strike a balance between development and environmental protection. He said that several innovative measures have been incorporated into the Expressway project to safeguard wildlife and preserve ecological balance. He expressed satisfaction that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, infrastructure development has received the highest priority, resulting in projects worth approximately Rs 1,30,000 crores being undertaken in Uttarakhand so far.
Gadkari stated that works covering 2,461 kilometres have already been completed at a cost of about Rs 25,000 crore in Uttarakhand, while projects worth Rs 35,000 crore are currently under execution. He added that projects worth nearly Rs 80,000 crore are also in the pipeline at various stages of detailed project report preparation and approval.
Providing details of upcoming works, he said that a four-lane road up to Ballupur via Dehradun, is also being developed at a cost of Rs 1,650 crores and added that this road is expected to be completed by May 2026 and will enhance connectivity between religious destinations in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. A four-lane greenfield bypass in Haridwar is being constructed at a cost of Rs 1,600 crores and that this is likely to be completed by October 2026 and will ease traffic congestion for those travelling from Delhi to Haridwar and Rishikesh.
He noted that the Rishikesh bypass project, estimated at Rs 1,100 crores, received approval in March this year and is considered highly significant for regional connectivity. A 21-kilometre four-lane bypass in Rudrapur, costing around Rs 1,050 crores, is slated for completion by October 2026, while a 15-kilometre four-lane bypass from Kashipur, being built at a cost of Rs 936 crores, is expected to be ready by December 2026.
Gadkari further shared that a 12-kilometre four-lane elevated road from Dehradun to Asarodi via Jhajhra with an estimated cost of Rs 716 crores, is under construction and is likely to be completed by April 2027. Another major project, a 20-kilometre four-lane road from Bhaniyawala to Jolly Grant and Rishikesh, costing Rs 745 crores, is expected to be completed by April 2028.
He further reminded that a 60-kilometre two-lane road from Joshimath to Malari is being developed at a cost of Rs 630 crores, which is targeted for completion by December 2026. In addition, a major road project connecting Tanakpur, Pithoragarh and Lipulekh is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 5,200 crores.
The Union Minister reiterated that these projects would not only strengthen connectivity across the state but also create employment opportunities, boost tourism and improve access to remote and border areas. He emphasised that the government remains committed to building world-class infrastructure while ensuring environmental sustainability, adding that Uttarakhand is set to witness a new era of growth driven by modern connectivity and balanced development.
