PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
A proposed Greenfield bypass connecting Dehradun with Mussoorie is still at the planning stage, with the Detailed Project Report (DPR) being prepared to assess its feasibility, alignment and cost. Stating this, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) project director Saurabh Singh said that IIT Roorkee and the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology have been engaged to provide technical and advisory inputs for the project. Consultations with the institutions are underway and their recommendations will be considered while preparing the DPR, he added.
The tentative cost of the proposed project is around Rs 4,000 crore, Singh said, but clarified that the figure is only an initial estimate. The final cost and alignment will be determined after the DPR is completed and approved, he said. The bypass is primarily being considered to address the growing traffic pressure in Mussoorie, where a large volume of outside traffic enters, contributing to congestion and pollution.
According to Singh, the proposed route is intended to provide an alternative and more direct connection for traffic travelling towards Mussoorie, potentially reducing pressure on the existing road network. He said that the project is currently under consultation and no final decision has been taken on its alignment or construction.
The proposed Greenfield corridor is expected to focus on improving traffic movement between Dehradun and Mussoorie while reducing congestion within the hill town. A clearer picture of the project, including its alignment, cost and implementation plan, is expected to emerge after completion of the DPR.
