Dehradun: Travel between Delhi and Dehradun is set to become faster and smoother with the opening of a 12-kilometer stretch between Ganeshpur and Asharodi on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway.

This newly completed section is now open to the public, marking a key milestone in the larger expressway project aimed at reducing travel time and improving road connectivity.

The expressway, part of the Bharatmala Project, is designed to cut the journey between Delhi and Dehradun to just 3 hours once fully operational. The newly opened stretch lies between Ganeshpur and Dehradun, and will help ease traffic congestion and improve access to Uttarakhand’s capital.

Vehicles will not be able to use the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway this month, as construction work could not be completed on schedule. Consequently, its opening date has been postponed. It is now expected to open by the end of November or in December.

The Delhi section of the expressway, which begins at Akshardham in the capital, was completed several months ago. However, the elevated stretch near Gandhi Nagar has remained closed to vehicles for an extended period. Reports suggest that the expressway will be opened to the public only after full completion. Due to various technical challenges, the construction could not be finished within the originally planned timeline.

The full expressway, once completed, will span 210 kilometers, connecting Delhi to Dehradun via Saharanpur, bypassing traffic-heavy towns and offering a direct, uninterrupted route. The project includes elevated roads, tunnels, and eco-friendly designs such as wildlife crossings and green landscaping.

According to Pankaj Maurya, project director, NHAI, told to News9live, “This stretch is not open officially yet but we open it for 3-4 hours daily when the traffic congestion grows on the existing route. We had opened it yesterday when a truck turned turtle on the Delhi-Dehradun route. To ease the traffic, we open the Expressway. The rest of the construction work is expected to be completed by this November.”

This section includes modern road features, safety measures, and smooth driving surfaces that will benefit both local commuters and long-distance travelers. The road is built to support high-speed travel and is expected to reduce fuel consumption and travel fatigue.

The opening of this 12-km stretch is especially significant for tourists, pilgrims, and business travelers heading to Uttarakhand. Dehradun serves as a gateway to popular destinations like Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and the Char Dham Yatra. Easier road access is expected to boost tourism and support local businesses such as hotels, homestays, restaurants, and transport services.