Delhi-Dehradun Expressway: The launch of the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor has triggered a sharp rise in traffic movement on the Bhagwanpur-Imlikhera stretch in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar district, with Char Dham pilgrims increasingly using the newly connected route to reach Haridwar.
Vehicles travelling from Delhi are now taking the corridor via Chhutmalpur in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district and entering Uttarakhand through Bhagwanpur, replacing the earlier Meerut-Muzaffarnagar-Roorkee bypass route. The shift has significantly increased traffic load on the Bhagwanpur-Imlikhera road.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor on April 14, just days before the Char Dham Yatra began on April 19. The new express connectivity has cut travel time between Delhi and Dehradun to around two hours, making it a preferred route for tourists and pilgrims.
Char Dham Traffic Boosts Pressure On Bhagwanpur Route
Most travel agencies in Delhi are now routing Char Dham pilgrims through the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor instead of the earlier Meerut-Muzaffarnagar-Roorkee bypass route to Haridwar.
Vehicles are being diverted from Chhutmalpur towards Bhagwanpur and further via Khanpur Tiraaha. From there, commuters travel through Bhagwanpur, Imlikhera and Dhanauri before reaching Bahadrabad. This diversion has led to a considerable increase in traffic activity along the stretch.
The route is witnessing heavy traffic congestion, especially during morning hours. The shifting of Bhagwanpur town’s tehsil headquarters to this route has also contributed to increased vehicular movement and commercial activity in the area.
Traffic Circle Officer Vipendra Singh told Jagran.com that traffic pressure on the route has increased significantly and additional traffic personnel have been deployed to manage the situation.
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Delhi-Haridwar Greenfield Expressway Likely To Open In June
Meanwhile, travel time between Delhi and Haridwar is also expected to reduce further to nearly two-and-a-half hours once the Delhi-Haridwar Greenfield Expressway becomes operational. Construction work on the Salier-to-Bahadrabad toll plaza stretch is currently progressing at a rapid pace.
During the inauguration of the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had announced that the expressway is likely to open by June. Following the announcement, the construction agency has accelerated work on the project.