Expressway will be “Gamechanger” for Uttarakhand: Satpal Maharaj

my uttarakhand news Bureau
Dehradun, 14 Apr: Minister of Public Works, Tourism, Culture & Religion, Irrigation, and Rural Construction Satpal Maharaj said today that the 210 km expressway worth Rs 12,000 crore, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will prove to be a “gamechanger” for Uttarakhand.
He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, stating that the Prime Minister’s visit on Tuesday was not just a one-day event but marked the beginning of the “Decade of Developed Uttarakhand”.
Minister Maharaj said that the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway has not only reduced physical distance but has also bridged the “psychological gap” between Delhi and Dehradun. This will directly boost tourism, trade, employment, and education in Uttarakhand. He described it as the “biggest gift of the century” for the state.
The expressway will promote year-round tourism along with the Char Dham Yatra. It is expected to bring an additional 10 million tourists annually to Uttarakhand, leading to a threefold increase in hotel, homestay, and taxi businesses. It will also generate lakhs of jobs in tourism, hospitality, transport, and warehousing sectors, bringing transformative change to the state.
Maharaj further stated that the 12 km elevated “green corridor” under the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway is the longest of its kind in Asia. It allows wildlife such as elephants, tigers, and deer to move freely across Rajaji National Park without obstruction.