By Arun Pratap SinghGarhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun/New Delhi, 1 Dec: In a significant development for commuters and travellers between Delhi and Uttarakhand, the Delhi–Saharanpur–Dehradun Expressway has finally begun its trial run, marking the first public use of the project which has been repeatedly delayed over the past two years. Vehicular movement began on the first phase of the project between Delhi and Loni from midnight last night after barricades were removed in the Geeta Colony area, allowing the traffic to flow smoothly on the newly built Phase 1 stretch. Sources have claimed that trial run will begin soon in other phases too including the second, the third and the final fourth phase.
The 210-kilometre, six-lane expressway is expected to reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from the current four to six hours to nearly two and a half hours once fully operational. The officials conducting the trial run have reported improved traffic conditions today, and a marked reduction in congestion is already noticeable in areas such as Khajuri Khas, Bhajanpura and adjoining localities in Delhi, where residents had long complained of chronic jams. With seamless high-speed access from central Delhi, the expressway is anticipated to boost tourism, ease logistics movement and strengthen Uttarakhand’s connectivity with the National Capital Region.
It may be recalled that the foundation stone of the project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 December 2021. At that time, the expressway was slated for opening in December 2024. However, repeated setbacks, including those related to the environmental approvals, lengthy land acquisition processes across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, shifting of high-voltage transmission lines, monsoon-related delays and several structural design revisions, pushed the completion timeline further. Various trial runs and internal inspections had been carried out on selective stretches during 2023 and 2024, especially on the elevated corridor in Delhi and stretches between Baghpat and Shamli, but this is the first time that a public trial has been permitted on the phase 1 of the project.
It may be reminded here that the expressway has been developed in multiple phases at a total estimated cost of nearly Rs 11,800 crores. Phase 1 begins near Akshardham Metro Station, where it integrates with the Delhi–Meerut Expressway, enabling uninterrupted high-speed travel from the city. Technical difficulties, especially the pending relocation of a major 400 kV transmission line in UP, particularly between Shamli and Saharanpur also contributed significantly to construction delays. The agencies now claim that while most structural work has been completed, the final stages of safety certification, load testing, lighting and signage installation, and emergency-response verification are still underway.
The beginning of the trial run now however indicates that the expressway is structurally ready, though the formal inauguration is expected only after all phases are fully prepared. Earlier projections had indicated a possible inauguration in 2024, but this was deferred repeatedly. Officials now suggest that the final opening could take place in early 2026 after all technical clearances are completed. The first 18 kilometres of the expressway, from Akshardham to the Loni border, have been made toll-free for the time being, while toll rates for the full stretch are yet to be finalised.
It may also be pertinent to remind here that though not fully ready, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had recently sought time from the PMO for inauguration of the expressway, particularly during the recent Dehradun visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, the PMO was fully updated on the actual progress and therefore the PMO directed the NHAI to ensure full completion including the final touches to the project before February, 2026 so that it can be inaugurated in February, 2026. Though the final date of inauguration has not been announced, it is clear the public trials other phases will also begin soon. The opening of the final fourth phase which runs from Biharigarh in district Saharanpur till Asarodi in Dehradun is very eagerly awaited by the Doon residents as opening of this stretch can save them from the traffic jams on the turns of Mohand Road. Ongoing construction of a flyover to connect the expressway with the Daat Kali Temple is holding back the opening of this phase according to the sources but the public trials can be expected shortly on this stretch as well.
Meanwhile the local residents and daily commuters in Delhi have welcomed the opening of the Delhi–Loni stretch, expressing hope that this new corridor will finally end the persistent bottlenecks in Delhi’s north-eastern region. Once the entire expressway is operational, it will transform connectivity not only between Delhi and Dehradun but also between the national capital and extensive parts of western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
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