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News18
a day ago
- News18
'Tree' Cheers For Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Set To Open Before End Of July With Green Push
Last Updated: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched an initiative to plant approximately 40,000 trees along the Delhi-Dehradun Corridor The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is almost ready, and the entire section is expected to be inaugurated in the coming weeks. On Saturday, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched an initiative to plant approximately 40,000 trees along the Delhi-Dehradun Corridor. In a statement, the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) said that, to align environmental sustainability with infrastructure growth, a tree plantation drive was held along the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor. While Saturday's drive took place at Katha Toll Plaza in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat, the plan is to plant 40,000 trees along the entire corridor. The ministry said the plantation will provide several ecological benefits, including improved air quality, reduced soil erosion, and enhanced biodiversity. 'This dual focus on both environment sustainability and infrastructure development will position Delhi-Dehradun Corridor as a pioneering example of green infrastructure, establishing a new benchmark for green development across the country," the statement said. The ministry is executing the plantation drive with a broader vision to green India's highway network by engaging multiple stakeholders to create a sustainable, tree-lined infrastructure ecosystem. Boost For Regional Connectivity Originally slated for completion by March 2024, the project faced delays. A partial inauguration planned around the beginning of this year was also postponed. Now, the full stretch is expected to open before the end of July. The expressway will reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from 5 to 6 hours to just 2 to 2.5 hours. It starts from Akshardham in east Delhi and passes through Baghpat, Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, and Saharanpur. Beginning near Akshardham Metro Station, the 210-km route runs through Geeta Colony, Shastri Park, and Sonia Vihar in Delhi. It is also expected to ease congestion in east Delhi, which often sees heavy traffic. 'Finishing Touches' Remain A ministry official told News18 that construction is nearly complete, with only minor finishing touches pending. 'We are aiming to open the expressway to traffic before the end of July," the official said, requesting anonymity. The expressway, built at an estimated cost of Rs 12,000 crore, is expected to be a game-changer for regional mobility, benefiting both daily commuters and tourists. The entire corridor is designed for driving at a minimum of 100 km/hr. It will also help decongest the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and other adjacent highways by providing an alternative route. The expressway will include a spur to Haridwar and connect to the Char Dham Highway, further improving access to Uttarakhand's hill stations and pilgrimage sites. First Published: June 15, 2025, 07:00 IST
News18
21-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Get Set To Gaze At Goa From Two Eiffel Tower-Style Observatories Atop New Zuari Bridge
Last Updated: Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari will hold the groundbreaking ceremony for the towers on Friday in Goa along with chief minister Pramod Sawant Visitors to Goa will soon be able to enjoy panoramic views from the top of the New Zuari Bridge, linking the north and south districts of the state. The ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) on Wednesday announced that necessary approvals have been granted for the observatory towers atop the bridge. Also called the Manohar Setu, in memory of the late former chief minister of the state, Manohar Parrikar, the bridge spans the Zuari River. Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari will hold the groundbreaking ceremony for the towers on Friday in Goa, along with chief minister Pramod Sawant. Costing about Rs 270 crore, the project will be executed on the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model, putting zero financial burden on the government. It will be ready in the next five years and will feature observatory towers inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris. 'Including a revolving restaurant and an art gallery, it is designed to serve as a global tourist attraction and is poised to become a landmark in Goa's rich touristic landscape," an official statement reads. The concessionaire will be responsible for full construction and will operate the facility for a concession period of 50 years. 'Strategically placed between pylons on two pile cap foundations, each tower will rise to a height of 125 metres, featuring shaft dimensions of 8.50 metres by 5.50 metres," it added. The upper levels will house two expansive floors with minimum dimensions of 22.50 metres by 17.80 metres, equipped with capsule lifts for panoramic ascents. A dedicated walkway bridge of 7.50 metres carriage width will be constructed on either side in the marine portion, allowing seamless tourist access. Parking facilities will be provided on both ends of the bridge, ensuring convenience for visitors, MoRTH added. Speaking to News18, a senior MoRTH official said that with a unique design and tourism-centric vision, the observatory towers' project stands as a symbol of Goa's evolving identity. 'The towers will unlock new economic avenues and reaffirm India's commitment to creating world-class infrastructure that both inspires and serves," the official said. The project is expected to significantly catalyse tourism and economic activity across Goa while also creating direct and indirect employment opportunities and enhancing India's infrastructure-led global image. It will foster local entrepreneurship by boosting allied sectors such as hospitality, transport, and retail. Moreover, officials say, it will position Goa as a premier destination for architectural tourism and experiential travel on the international map. First Published: May 21, 2025, 17:25 IST
