Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced that the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, which is set to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities, will be completed within three months. Currently, the journey between Delhi and Dehradun takes around five to six hours, but with the completion of this new expressway, the travel time will be reduced to just two hours. Gadkari shared this update during a media event on Friday, emphasizing the progress of the crucial project.
Additionally, Gadkari revealed that the construction of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is expected to be finished in two months. Once completed, this expressway will cut down the current 24-hour travel time between Delhi and Mumbai to just 12 hours, facilitating quicker and more efficient transportation between the two major cities.
The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway project, which is being developed in two packages, is part of a broader infrastructure initiative to improve connectivity and ease of travel in India. One significant project within this initiative is a ₹10,000 crore development for the Delhi-Kalindi Kunj-Faridabad corridor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate this project within the next 15 to 20 days.
Gadkari also addressed environmental concerns, noting that the transport sector is responsible for 40% of India’s air pollution. He pointed to road construction and the burning of crop residue, particularly in Punjab and Haryana, as major contributors. In response, the government is working on over 400 projects aimed at converting rice straw into alternative fuels, which would help eliminate stubble burning in the next two years.
Further, Gadkari shared that the government is developing 36 green express lanes aimed at reducing logistics costs in the country. India currently faces logistics costs of 14-16%, which is higher compared to other nations like China (8%) and the US/EU (12%). The goal is to reduce this figure to 9% within two years, which would, in turn, boost India’s export competitiveness.
The ongoing motorway projects, including a ₹13,000 crore investment, will feature eco-friendly measures such as wildlife corridors to ensure the safety of regional wildlife in areas like Baghpat, Shamli, and Saharanpur. These projects will further strengthen the infrastructure network across the country.
On the issue of road safety, Gadkari highlighted the alarming number of road accidents in India, which leads the world in fatalities, with approximately 1,78,000 deaths annually from 5,00,000 incidents. The minister attributed this to factors like poor road conditions, lax law enforcement, and a lack of road safety education. However, Gadkari expressed optimism about the government’s ongoing efforts, including initiatives to fix dangerous black spots on national highways and adjust bidding norms to improve the quality of infrastructure projects. These measures, he said, would help reduce road accidents and improve safety for all travelers.
With these ambitious infrastructure projects and safety measures, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways aims to enhance the efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability of India’s transportation network.
Sources By Agencies
