On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 210 km Delhi–Dehradun Expressway from Dehradun, significantly reducing travel time from six hours to just two and a half hours. This greenfield project, also known as NH709B, was constructed at a cost of ₹11,868.6 crore (approximately $1.4 billion USD) and is expected to enhance connectivity between Delhi and the northern states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. The expressway features over 100 underpasses and five railway over bridges, and it connects with major routes including the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway. A notable aspect of the project is a 12-km elevated wildlife corridor through Rajaji National Park, designed to facilitate safe wildlife movement, supported by a recent study showing significant wildlife usage of the underpasses. However, the project has drawn criticism for environmental concerns, particularly deforestation, with 17,913 trees reported to be affected. In response, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has committed to planting 50,600 trees and has allocated ₹40 crore (approximately $4.8 million USD) to the forest departments of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand as part of its mitigation efforts.