Construction of Four Lane Elevated Road on SH-85 from Rispna Bridge to Araghar Chowk, in Distt Dehradun

Location

The proposed project is located in Dehradun city, Uttarakhand, along State Highway-85 (SH-85), extending from Rispna Bridge / Chanchal Dairy to Dharampur Chowk / Araghar Chowk, passing through a highly urbanized and traffic-intensive corridor of the city.

Background and Problem Statement

Dehradun has witnessed rapid urbanization, population growth, and a substantial increase in vehicular traffic over the past decade. The Dharampur–Araghar corridor is one of the city’s most critical traffic corridors, connecting major residential, commercial, and institutional areas. Traffic surveys indicate that:

Peak hour traffic at Araghar Chowk reaches approximately 4,125 PCUs.
Daily traffic volume is around 62,733 PCUs. The existing at-grade junctions and road infrastructure are inadequate to handle this heavy traffic load. This results in frequent congestion, long travel delays, increased fuel consumption, higher pollution levels, and elevated risk of road accidents, particularly during peak hours.

Project Concept and Need

The project proposes the construction of a four-lane elevated road to provide uninterrupted, signal-free movement of through traffic along SH-85. The elevated corridor will segregate fast-moving traffic from local traffic, thereby reducing pressure on existing junctions. The project is essential to:

Address chronic congestion at Dharampur and Araghar junctions
Improve traffic efficiency and safety
Support future traffic growth and urban expansion
Ensure long-term improvement in city mobility and connectivity

Key Components and Features

Four-lane elevated roadway (ROB-style structure)
Reinforced Earth (RE) retaining wall portions
Service roads for local traffic movement
Drainage system for stormwater management
Utility shifting and protection works
Land acquisition and building compensation
Quality control, safety provisions, and contingency measures The estimated total project cost is approximately ₹183.97 crore, including construction, land acquisition, utility shifting, GST, contingencies, and quality control.

High-Impact Features

By segregating fast-moving through traffic on the elevated structure from local and service traffic at ground level, the project will significantly improve corridor efficiency, travel speed, and road safety by reducing conflict points and stop-and-go conditions. The elevated configuration optimizes the use of limited urban land, minimizes additional land acquisition in a densely built-up area, and reduces social and commercial disruption.

Beneficiaries and Coverage

Beneficiaries include

Daily commuters within Dehradun city
Commercial transport operators
Emergency services (ambulance, fire, police)
Tourists traveling to Mussoorie and nearby hill destinations
Residents and businesses along SH-85 corridor The project covers a major stretch of urban Dehradun that serves as a key north–south movement corridor.

Expected Benefits and Outcomes

Significant reduction in traffic congestion and travel time
Improved road safety and reduced accident rates
Lower fuel consumption and vehicular emissions
Improved connectivity between major city zones
Enhanced tourism movement by providing smoother and faster access for tourists traveling to Mussoorie and surrounding hill areas
Positive economic impact through improved logistics and commercial activity

Current Status of the Project

Traffic surveys and feasibility assessments completed
Preliminary design and cost estimation prepared
Land requirement and structure impact assessment conducted
Overlap with proposed Metro alignment identified, requiring coordinated planning

Implementation Plan / Next Steps

Finalization of detailed engineering design
Coordination with Metro project authorities to resolve overlaps
Completion of land acquisition and compensation process
Utility shifting and site clearance
Phased construction to minimize traffic disruption
Regular monitoring, quality control, and safety audits

Conclusion

The proposed four-lane elevated road on SH-85 is a strategically important urban infrastructure project for Dehradun. It directly addresses existing traffic bottlenecks, supports future growth, enhances road safety, and improves overall quality of urban mobility. With proper coordination and timely execution, the project will deliver long-term social, economic, and environmental benefits to the city and the state of Uttarakhand.

View Kml on Map