PM Modi to Inaugurate Delhi-Dehradun Expressway in Early April

DAINIK NATION BUREAU/DEHRADUN

In a bid to smoothen connectivity before the beginning of Char Dham Yatra 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to inaugurate the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway in the first week of April. It will be big relief for the pilgrims of Char Dham,  which officially begins on April 19, 2026.

The 210-km long Dehradun Delhi expressway will reduce the travel time between the national capital and Uttarakhand. Journey time will be slashed from 6.5 hours to approximately 2.5 hours. The final phase features Asia’s longest elevated wildlife corridor (12 km) passing through the eco-sensitive Rajaji National Park. A dedicated spur will also connect the route to Haridwar, facilitating smoother transit for pilgrims heading to the holy shrines.

Sources indicate that the Prime Minister will address a massive public gathering at a venue near Asharodi, the gateway to Dehradun. The Uttarakhand state government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are currently in the final stages of preparations. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has personally inspected the finishing works on the Dehradun section, ensuring that safety protocols and greenery along the elevated corridor are in place.

With the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri scheduled to open on April 19, followed by Kedarnath and Badrinath on April 22 and 24 respectively, the early April inauguration will allow for a “trial-by-fire” period before the peak pilgrimage rush. Authorities are expecting more than 50 lakh pilgrims this year, and the expressway is seen as the primary solution to preventing the massive traffic snarls that have plagued the Saharanpur-Dehradun route in previous years.

The exact date for the visit is expected to be announced by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in the coming days, once the final safety audits of the Dat Kali tunnel and the Saharanpur bypass are completed.