PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun The Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor inaugurated on Wednesday promises to be a gamechanger for Uttarakhand, especially when it comes to boosting the State’s economy. It is also expected to benefit Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. The 213-kilometre expressway built at a cost of Rs 11,963 crore includes the longest elevated wildlife corridor in Asia which is 12 kilometres long. This corridor includes two elephant underpasses, each 200 metres in length and six animal passes. The expressway comprises a six-lane access controlled corridor, 10 bridges and two ROBs along with a 370-metre tunnel near the Dat Kali Mandir. According to officials, while the distance has been reduced by about 22 kilometres and the travel time between Delhi and Dehradun will be cut drastically to 2.5 hours, these developments are estimated to result in about 19 per cent fuel saving. By using elevation instead of cutting trees, the destruction of at least 33,480 trees was prevented for this project. Apart from this, 1.95 lakh trees were planted in compensatory afforestation. As stated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union minister Nitin Gadkari and others, this expressway is expected to boost economic activities and livelihoods in the region. Uttarakhand expects a boost in tourism and pilgrimage with road access to the State being enhanced considerably. Other road and infrastructure projects underway in the State are expected to magnify the effects of this expressway, enhancing connectivity for trade, tourism and pilgrimage in various parts of the State.