Delhi-Dehradun Highway 6-Laning Hits Hurdle; Drone Survey Awaits Nod For 3 Months

In a bid to ease heavy traffic congestion on the Delhi-Dehradun Highway, the central government has approved its expansion to six lanes. However, the project's first phase is currently stalled, awaiting administrative clearance.

Project Stalled Awaiting Survey Permission

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has tasked M/s FP India Project Management Consultancy Service Private Limited with preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the first phase. This phase covers the approximately 80 km section from Partapur in Meerut to the end of the Muzaffarnagar bypass.

Despite being ready for three months, the consultant agency has been unable to begin its work due to a lack of permission from the district administration for a drone survey. The NHAI first requested this permission in June, but it was delayed due to the Kanwar Yatra and other reasons.

Following the delay, the NHAI wrote to the Divisional Commissioner in September. Commissioner Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod has since instructed the District Magistrate to facilitate the necessary approvals. It is now expected that permission will be granted shortly.

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Drone Survey To Map Highway Corridor

The survey is essential for creating an accurate DPR for the six-lane expansion. Rampal Singh Saini, the project head of the consultant agency, explained the scope of the work.

• An unmanned drone will survey a 65-metre-wide corridor on both sides, measured from the center of the existing highway.
• The survey will capture all features along the route, including schools, colleges, petrol pumps, shops, public utility buildings, trees, bridges, canals, watercourses (rajwaha), and intersections.
• The DPR will be prepared based on the assessment of this data.

Once permission is granted, officials estimate the survey work will be completed in approximately 15 days.

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Official Assurance

District Magistrate Dr VK Singh confirmed that reports have been sought from the relevant departments to process the request. He assured that permission for the drone survey will be granted soon, allowing the crucial first step of the highway expansion to commence.