New Delhi, 23 April (H.S.): Residents of Dehradun will soon get relief from severe traffic jams and pollution caused by heavy vehicles passing through the city centre. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is constructing a 12‑kilometre greenfield four‑lane bypass at an estimated cost of ₹716 crore. Around 44 per cent of the work has already been completed, and the project is targeted for completion by April 2027.

According to the Ministry of Communications, the bypass is being built along the Delhi–Dehradun economic corridor and will run from Jhajhra, connecting to the Panchkula–Bhīlwārā‑Ballūpurh section (NH‑7), and extend up to the Asarori check‑post. Once operational, the bypass will reroute all non‑destination traffic away from the heart of Dehradun city, thereby reducing congestion and pollution and improving urban mobility.

The project has been designed with strong environmental safeguards. The roadway width has been kept at 30 metres instead of the usual 60 metres in order to minimise tree felling and protect forested areas. For wildlife safety, a 350‑metre‑long vehicular overpass, seven small bridges, 21 box culverts, and five hume‑pipe culverts are being constructed as animal‑crossing points. Fencing and wildlife‑zone signage are being installed along the entire stretch to reduce human–wildlife conflict.

The ministry noted that, once completed, the project will free Dehradun residents from the burden of heavy and transit traffic. At the same time, access to key tourist destinations such as Mussoorie will become easier, providing a major boost to tourism and local economic activity in the region.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar