Dehradun-Paonta new four lane highway built by NHAI. NHAI
Jagran correspondent, Dehradun. The picture of traffic between Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh is now going to change rapidly. The journey from Dehradun to Paonta Sahib, which till now used to take about two hours due to traffic jams, narrow roads and crowding, can now be completed in just 35 minutes. This change has been possible due to the Ballupur-Paonta Sahib four-lane National Highway Project (NH-07), which is being taken to the final stages by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). With 90 percent work completed, the highway has been opened for vehicular movement. Due to rapid urban expansion, industrial activities and tourism pressure, this corridor was for a long time among the busiest and congested routes in North India. Now with the four-lane greenfield highway and bypass, not only the distance has been reduced, but the travel time and fuel consumption have also been reduced significantly. This project is emerging as not only a road but also a new axis of economic and social development of Uttarakhand-Himachal. This section of NH-07 bears the pressure of thousands of passengers, industrial, commercial and tourist vehicles every day. Due to limited width, ribbon development and rapid urban expansion, this route was facing congestion and road safety challenges for a long time. This project has been shaped as a permanent solution to these problems. On Friday, NHAI officials inspected the new highway and saw the work progress.
Greenfield bypass becomes a gamechanger
Under NH-07, the 44.8 km long route from Paonta Sahib to Ballupur Chowk (Dehradun) is being developed into four lane. The special thing is that it includes a greenfield bypass of about 25 km, which bypasses congested towns like Paonta Sahib, Herbertpur, Sahaspur, Selaqui and Sudhowala. This bypass has reduced the total length of the route by about seven kilometers, which has had a direct impact on the travel time. Now heavy vehicles and through-traffic will be able to pass directly through the highway without entering the cities.
Direct benefit from Delhi-Dehradun corridor
This project is also connecting to Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor. Due to this, outside vehicles entering Dehradun city will get an alternative route and the capital Doon will get relief from the long standing problem of traffic jam. This route will prove to be very important especially for industrial, logistics and tourism traffic.
Two packages, project worth Rs 1,646 crore
The four-lane highway is being developed in two packages on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM). The total cost of ₹1,646.21 crore also includes land acquisition, forest clearance and utility shifting. Package-1 (Paonta Sahib–Mednipur, 18.7 km) costing ₹553.21 crore, includes the 1,175-metre-long four-lane Yamuna bridge. Package-2 (Mednipur–Ballupur, 26.1 km)
Cost Rs 1,093 crore, in which urban bypass, underpass and service roads have been developed. 21 villages in Uttarakhand and four in Himachal Pradesh have been affected by the project.
Traffic started on 31.5 km stretch
Most of the bridges, underpasses and structural works of the project have been completed. Commercial traffic has also been started on the 31.5 km long stretch, while the remaining RE wall and final pavement work is targeted to be completed by February 2026. Bypassing congested towns like Paonta Sahib, Herbertpur, Sahaspur, Selaqui and Sudhowala will significantly reduce both travel time and fuel consumption. The four-lane configuration has been designed keeping in mind future traffic needs, higher capacity and improved road safety. This corridor will also ensure better and faster access to Yamunotri, the first Dham of Chardham Yatra.
Features of the new highway
Special focus on safety and technology - Priority given to road safety on highways - Modern four lane bridges on Yamuna and Asan rivers - Three beam crash barriers and anti-glare screens - PTZ cameras for 24×7 surveillance - Modern signage and road markings - Extensive plantation for environmental balance - All recommendations implemented after independent road safety audit.
Benefits after completion of the highway
-Travel from Paonta to Dehradun reduced from two hours to 35 minutes -Big relief to vehicles from jam on Herbertpur-Premnagar road -New momentum to tourism, industry, employment and business -Strengthening of Chardham Yatra and proposed Mussoorie connectivity.
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