Delhi-Dehradun expressway nears launch: Dhami govt speeds up road, rail & air projects; tourism poised for major boost

Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami (Image: ANI)

NEW DELHI: Under the leadership of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami [1], Uttarakhand has made remarkable progress in the areas of rail, road, ropeway, and air connectivity over the past four years. During this period, the government successfully launched the Mukhyamantri Udan Khatola Yojana (chief minister's air service scheme) to introduce air services in remote regions. Significant steps have also been taken to build ropeways to connect pilgrimage destinations in hilly areas.

As the Dhami government enters its fifth year, the much-awaited Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is also set to open for traffic.

Smoother road travel

Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office, access to the char dham pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand has become easier and more convenient. In this direction, one of the key achievements of the Centre and State governments is the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, which is now nearly complete. Once operational, this expressway will reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun to just two and a half hours.The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is being constructed in four phases.

The section between Ganeshpur in Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh) and Asharodi Check Post in Dehradun spans 20 km, which includes a 12-km long elevated road and a 340-meter tunnel near the Datkali temple.The Dhami government has also made notable progress in rural road construction.Powered by the double-engine government at the Centre and State, a total of 4,585 km of rural roads have been built, which has provided road access to 199 villages with populations over 250. Under the third phase of the pradhan mantri gram sadak yojana (PMGSY), the Central government has approved Rs 1,824 crore for upgrading previously built roads -- covering a total distance of 2,288 km.

Air connectivity

To provide air services in various regions of the state, the government launched the Mukhyamantri Udan Khatola Yojana. Under the Central Government's UDAN scheme as well, helicopter services are now operating from Dehradun and Haldwani to several hill districts.

In the past three years, heliports have been built in Sahastradhara, Srinagar, Gauchar, Chinyalisaur, Haldwani, Almora, Pithoragarh, and Munsyari. Construction is also underway for heliports at six other locations. During Dhami's tenure, concrete plans have also been initiated to upgrade Jolly Grant and Pantnagar airports to international standards.

Rail projects gain momentum

During CM Dhami's term, the construction of the 125-km Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line has moved swiftly towards completion, with the project expected to be finished by 2026.

Thanks to the active efforts of the Chief Minister, the Central Government has also approved surveys for the Tanakpur-Bageshwar railway line and the Doiwala to Gangotri-Yamunotri railway route.

Ropeway network

Over the past four years, the state government has taken strong steps to develop ropeway infrastructure in remote mountainous areas. Under the Parvatmala project, work has begun on 39 ropeway projects. In the Manaskhand Corridor, ropeway projects are being planned in Nainital (2), Almora (7), Jageshwar (2), Pithoragarh (3), and Champawat (2).Other proposed ropeway routes under the Parvatmala scheme include:Kedarnath and Hemkund SahibRishikesh to NeelkanthAuli to GorsonRanibagh to Hanuman MandirPanchkoti to BaurariBalati Band to Khaliya TopRaithal-Barsu to BarnalaUttarkashi town to Varunavat hillKanakchauri to Kartik Swami templeFormalities for these ropeway projects are currently being completed.

The Dehradun to Mussoorie ropeway project is also set to begin construction soon.In the words of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the government is committed to developing all modes of transportation across Uttarakhand. "Along with roads, we are focusing on rail, ropeway, and air connectivity.

This will not only improve travel for people in remote areas but also boost tourism in those regions," he said, highlighting the broader vision behind the state's infrastructure push.

References

^ Pushkar Singh Dhami (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)