Modi Unveils Delhi-Dehradun Corridor, Boosts Uttarakhand Growth Vision

Dehradun, April 14, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, describing it as a transformative project that will accelerate connectivity, tourism, trade and overall development in Uttarakhand and adjoining regions. Blending infrastructure expansion with environmental protection, cultural pride and social inclusion, the Prime Minister said the corridor represents the vision of a modern and developed India.

कॉरिडोर से होगा उत्तराखंड का कायाकल्प pic.twitter.com/XvCrPyALx9

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) April 14, 2026

Extending greetings to citizens on the occasions of Baisakhi, Bohag Bihu and Puthandu, the Prime Minister noted that the inauguration comes during a season of celebration across the country.

Paying respects to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, he said the Char Dham Yatra to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath is set to begin in the coming days, a sacred moment awaited by millions of devotees. He also offered prayers to Panch Badri, Panch Kedar, Panch Prayag and revered regional deities including Maa Sankatla and Maa Daat Kali, whose temple he visited before the event. “The blessings of Maa Daat Kali have been a great strength in completing a project of this magnitude,” said PM Modi.

Marking the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Baba Saheb on behalf of the nation. He said Dr. Ambedkar devoted his life to justice for the poor and marginalised, and added that over the last decade the government has worked to uphold constitutional values through measures ranging from the abrogation of Article 370 to reducing Maoism and Naxalism in several districts. “Uttarakhand has shown the way to the entire country by advancing the constitutional aspiration of a Uniform Civil Code,” affirmed PM Modi.

Reflecting on Uttarakhand entering its twenty-sixth year as a state, the Prime Minister recalled his earlier statement that the third decade of this century would belong to Uttarakhand. He said the state is continuously achieving new milestones through policy support and the hard work of its people. “This expressway will give fresh momentum to Uttarakhand’s growth,” asserted Modi.

Emphasising the importance of infrastructure, the Prime Minister said a nation’s future is built through roads, highways, expressways, airways, railways and waterways. He noted that annual infrastructure spending in India, which stood below ₹2 lakh crore before 2014, has now risen more than six times to over ₹12 lakh crore. “Infrastructure projects worth more than ₹2.25 lakh crore are currently underway in Uttarakhand alone,” affirmed Modi.

Listing major recent developments in the Delhi-Western Uttar Pradesh-Uttarakhand belt, he referred to the expansion of Delhi Metro, Metro services in Meerut, the Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat Rail, the Noida International Airport and the new MRO facility. “Imagine the scale at which infrastructure is being built across the entire country, what is happening in this one small region is just a glimpse of that,” remarked Modi.

Explaining the impact of the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, the Prime Minister said the project will sharply reduce travel time and transport costs, while generating major fuel savings and lowering freight charges. With an investment of ₹12,000 crore already made, he said the corridor has created employment opportunities for thousands of engineers, labourers and transport workers. Farmers and livestock owners will also benefit from faster access to larger markets.

विकास के नये आयाम गढ़ रहा उत्तराखंड pic.twitter.com/QyATaaMrvY

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) April 14, 2026

He added that the route passing through Ghaziabad, Baghpat, Baraut, Shamli and Saharanpur will bring new growth opportunities to cities in Uttar Pradesh as well. “This is not just a road; it opens new avenues for trade, industry, warehousing, and logistics across the entire region,” asserted Modi.

उत्तराखंड के लिए जरूरी 12 मासी पर्यटन pic.twitter.com/EGw6FNMQyx

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) April 14, 2026

Highlighting tourism benefits, the Prime Minister said Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mussoorie and the Char Dham circuit will become more accessible. He said Uttarakhand is rapidly emerging as a preferred destination for winter tourism, winter sports and destination weddings. He noted that visits to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat increased from a few hundred to more than 36,000 in 2025, while participation in the Winter Char Dham Yatra rose from 80,000 in 2024 to over 1.5 lakh in 2025. “When tourism grows, everyone benefits, hotels, dhabas, taxis, home stays, the entire local economy gets a boost,” remarked Modi.

The Prime Minister also stressed that development must remain balanced with ecological preservation. He highlighted the nearly 12-kilometre elevated wildlife corridor built as part of the expressway to ensure free movement of animals, including elephants. He urged tourists and pilgrims visiting Uttarakhand’s hills and forests to maintain cleanliness and avoid plastic waste. “Our effort is that while infrastructure serves people, the wildlife and natural heritage of these areas must also be protected,” emphasised Modi.

Looking ahead to next year’s Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, he called for collective efforts to make the event grand, divine and clean. He also referred to the Nanda Devi Rajjat Yatra as a symbol of India’s living cultural heritage, especially noting the meaningful participation of women. “The Rajjat Yatra is not just a journey of faith; it is a testament to our living cultural heritage,” asserted Modi.

On women’s empowerment, the Prime Minister said the government remains committed to women’s safety, dignity and political participation. Referring to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, he said Parliament had approved 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies after four decades of waiting. He announced that a special discussion has been scheduled in Parliament from April 16 and appealed to all political parties to support implementation of the law from the 2029 general elections. “This is the wish of every sister and daughter of this country, and we must fulfil it with unanimity,” remarked Modi.

From the historic Garhi Cantonment venue, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Uttarakhand’s military legacy and remembered martyrs such as Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat of the 1962 war. He listed several welfare initiatives for ex-servicemen, including nearly ₹1.25 lakh crore under One Rank One Pension, a 36 per cent rise in the veterans’ health budget, home delivery of medicines for those above 70 years of age, doubling of education grants for children and increasing marriage assistance for daughters from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh. “Strengthening the armed forces and honouring our soldier families are non-negotiable priorities for this government,” affirmed Modi.

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister said the vision of Viksit Bharat must equally reflect development, environmental responsibility and cultural values. He congratulated the people of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the nation on the inauguration of the corridor. “Combining patriotism, devotion and development across every dimension, that is how we will build a truly Developed India,” asserted Modi.