Written by Arshdeep

There is a massive expressway (highway) that’s under construction between New Delhi and the city of Dehradun, which is in the state of Uttarakhand. A journey that usually takes 6 hours will, after the completion of the highway, will take only 2.5 hours!

This expressway is called the National Highway 72A .

Here’s all about it

What is the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway?

It is a highway connecting Delhi and Dehradun that’s going include Asia’s biggest elevated wildlife corridor (more on what’s a wildlife corridor a little below)

Why is it Special 

Apart from the fact that this expressway will reduce travel time, it is significant because it includes a special bridges for animals.

You might wonder why we need a special bridge for animals. Well, the truth is, as we build more roads and cities, we sometimes end up making it difficult for animal friends by dividing their homes and making it difficult for them to find food, water, and even meet other members of their species. The elevated wildlife corridor on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway solves this problem by giving animals a safe passage over the road, ensuring they can roam freely and without fear.

Here are the key features of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway

1. Length: The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is about 215 kilometers.
2. Elevated Wildlife Corridor: There’s a 12-kilometre-long wildlife elevated corridor, which will be the largest elevated wildlife corridor in Asia. It will ease the movement of wildlife without disruption from the traffic.
   Also, a 340-metre tunnel (located close to the Dat Kaali temple in Dehradun) will minimise disruptions to wildlife.
   There will be additional animal passes where needed. This will ensure minimal risk of animal-vehicle collisions.
3. Reduced Travel Time: The expressway will reduces travel time between Delhi and Dehradun by a significant amount – from 6 hours to about 2.5 hours.
4. Economic Growth: Once completed, the expressway will lead to better economic growth and development along this corridor, as it will improve accessibility and connectivity between Delhi and Dehradun.

The plan includes the construction of:
5 road overbridges
110 vehicle underpasses
76 kilometres of service roads
A overall stretch of 29 kilometres of elevated sections.
16 entry-exit points are to be located throughout the corridor with planned amenities every 25-30 kilometres.

But, you may be wondering – what is a wildlife corridor? We get into it here.

What is a Wildlife Corridor?

A wildlife corridor is a pathway that helps animals move around freely, connecting different parts of their natural habitat. It’s a way of ensuring animals can visit their friends, find food, and live their lives without any disruptions caused by roads and human activities.

The elevated wildlife corridor that’s part of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway allows animals to roam safely without encountering vehicular traffic. A corridor like this prevents, what’s called “habitat fragmentation” – where animal population is put at risk because of human development. Such corridors guarantee that wildlife populations are safe and have access to vital resources like food and water.

Why Should We Care?

Have you ever wondered why a wildlife corridor is so important? It’s not just about animals, it’s about maintaining the balance of nature. When animals have the freedom to move around, they help to keep everything in check. They spread seeds, feed on bugs, and ensure the forest remains healthy.

Having a wildlife corridor benefits not only animals but also our planet. It helps to maintain healthy populations, promote genetic diversity, and ensure the well-being of the entire ecosystem.

In conclusion, the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Asia’s biggest elevated wildlife corridor is more than a technological marvel—rather, it serves as a reminder of our duty to protect the environment. It will play a small but important part in contributing towards the well-being of our planet’s inhabitants. It’s a bridge not just between cities but between us and the natural world.

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