New Delhi/Dehradun: The hour of happiness is near for the passengers traveling between Delhi and Uttarakhand. The construction work of the much awaited Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor (Delhi-Dehradun Expressway) is in the final stages and its trial run is currently going on. According to the latest update of March 12, 2026, preparations have started for the formal inauguration of this expressway, due to which the distance from Delhi to Dehradun will be reduced to just two and a half to three hours. Saving of 3 hours in travel: New vs old route. Currently, to go from Delhi to Dehradun, one has to take the old route of Meerut-Muzaffarnagar, which is about 250 kilometers long and takes 5 to 6 hours. New Expressway: It is only 210 km long. Time Saving: This signal-free and 6-lane greenfield highway will save half of your travel time. Route Map: This expressway will start from Akshardham in Delhi and reach Dehradun (Asharodi) via Baghpat, Shamli and Saharanpur. Toll Rates: How much will be the impact on the pocket? Along with the convenience and speed, for this journey, you will have to shell out more money than the old route. The proposed toll rates for travel on the expressway are as follows: Single Trip: approximately ₹ 67524 Round Trip: approximately ₹ 1,010 Comparison: The total toll on the old Meerut-Roorkee route is approximately ₹ 445, but time and fuel consumption is higher there. The biggest feature of this expressway is its final stretch, Asia’s largest ‘Wildlife Corridor’. About 12 kilometers of elevated section has been built near Rajaji National Park, which is Asia’s longest wildlife corridor. Animals will be able to pass easily below it and vehicles will be able to move freely above it. The journey till the Lonely Border will be ‘toll-free’. For the convenience of local travelers and people of Delhi-NCR, the government has given a relief. About 18 km stretch from Akshardham to Loni border has been kept toll-free. This will provide major relief to the local traffic of Delhi and Ghaziabad. Mathematics of investment and earnings: This project, built at a cost of about ₹ 12,000 crore, is expected to generate toll income of ₹ 900 to ₹ 950 crore annually to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Experts believe that the cost of this project will be covered by toll collection in the next 13 years.