Introduction The eagerly awaited Delhi-Dehradun highway is on the cusp of becoming operational, heralding a significant milestone in India’s infrastructure landscape. This transformative project aims to slash travel time between the two capitals, making the journey faster and more convenient for commuters. Key Features and Progress Elevated Corridor: A 6.4-kilometer elevated corridor, stretching from Geeta Colony to Khazoori Khas in Delhi, is a crucial segment of the Delhi-Dehradun highway. Construction is well underway, with completion expected by mid-May 2025. Travel Time Reduction: Once operational, the highway will cut travel time from the current 5 hours to a mere 2.5 hours. The distance will also shrink from 235 kilometers to 210 kilometers. Wildlife Corridor: The highway boasts a 12-kilometer-long wildlife elevated corridor, allowing free movement of animals. This eco-friendly feature enhances connectivity while preserving the region’s biodiversity. Assurance and Commitment Inspection and Confidence: Recent inspections instill confidence that the completed highway will not only improve connectivity but also spur economic growth in the state. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is assured of crucial support from Uttarakhand. Night Construction: Uttarakhand’s commitment extends to allowing night construction activities, ensuring timely project completion. Project Overview and Cost Scope: The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway spans 210 kilometers, starting from North East Delhi and passing through Baghpat, Shamli, Muzzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, and Dehradun. Wildlife Tunnel: The final 20-kilometer stretch through Rajaji National Park includes Asia’s longest elevated wildlife corridor, featuring a 340-meter-long Daat Kali tunnel to minimize wildlife impact. Conclusion The Delhi-Dehradun highway isn’t just about roads, it’s a catalyst for progress, connecting people, economies, and ecosystems. As we eagerly await its completion, we anticipate a brighter future for Uttarakhand and beyond.

Event Overview: The Uttarakhand Investors Summit has attracted investment proposals worth over ₹3.5 lakh crore, surpassing the target of ₹2 lakh crore. Key highlights include showcasing 15+ investor-friendly policies and plans for infrastructure development and border areas. The government has raised funds through roadshows and MOUs, with significant agreements in Chennai, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad totalling ₹47,250 crore. The deployment plan for these funds includes kickstarting projects worth ₹44,000 crores across manufacturing and tourism infrastructure sectors. Date and Venue: Held at Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, Uttarakhand on December 8th and 9th, 2023. Theme: "Peace to Prosperity". Key Participants: Prime Minister: Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit. Other Dignitaries: Governor of Uttarakhand, Retd. Lt. Gen Gurmit Singh, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, thousands of investors and delegates attended, including Union Ministers, Ambassadors and industrialists. Major Announcements - Deployment of Funds and Initiatives: Infrastructure and Connectivity: Plans to reduce travel time between Delhi-Dehradun to two and half hours, expand airport facilities, and enhance rail connectivity. Sectoral Development: Emphasis on tourism, hospitality, agriculture, industry, logistics and storage through investments and policy support. Tourism Promotion: Creation of theme-based tourist circuits. Skill Development: Establishing specialized skill development centers to train manpower in sectors like hospitality, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. Local Product Promotion: Launching initiatives like 'House of Himalayas' to promote local products globally. Governance: Focus on policy-driven governance and stable law and order environment. Corporate Commitments and Investment Plans: Adani Group: Plans to expand in Uttarakhand with investments and job creation. JSW Group: Investment of roughly Rs 15,000 crores, highlighted Clean Kedarnath Project. ITC: Praise for policy initiatives, commitment to be a partner in India’s development journey. Patanjali: Future investments of over Rs 10,000 crores and creation of jobs. Emaar India: Partnering in India’s development journey, highlighting positive changes in global outlook towards India. TVS Supply Chain Solutions: Plans for further investments and job creation in manufacturing and logistics sectors. Prime Minister's Vision and Statements: National Development: Emphasis on 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) and 'Aspirational India'. Global Standing: India’s capability to become a global economic powerhouse. Conclusion: The Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit 2023 marked significant commitments from various sectors towards the state's development agenda, aligning with Prime Minister Modi's vision of transforming Uttarakhand into a global investment destination. Prime Minister’s call to investors to participate in Uttarakhand’s development journey and contribute to its transformation into a global destination.

The Smart Cities Mission in India, initiated by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, aims to transform urban areas into sustainable and citizen-friendly spaces through modern infrastructure and technology integration. The mission aims to enhance the quality of life for residents of 100 chosen cities by addressing urban challenges through sustainable and inclusive development. 6,650 projects worth Rs 1.32 lakh crore have been successfully completed out of 8,000 multi-sectoral projects valued at over Rs 1.7 lakh crore. over 600 kilometers of cycle tracks have been established in 100 smart cities. over 76,000 CCTV surveillance cameras have been installed. 6,855 “smart classrooms” and 40 digital libraries have been developed. over 50 lakh solar and LED streetlights 89,000 kilometers of underground electricity cabling have been completed over 2,500 kilometres of smart roads over 7,500 new buses, including over 2,000 electric buses, have been procured 600 kilometers of cycle tracks have been established in 100 smart cities A total of 308 e-health centers installation of 255 health ATMs in smart cities 180 waterfront projects in 47 cities redevelopment efforts have transformed over 200 markets in 68 cities 155 environmental sensors have been installed and over 5,300 personnel and volunteers have been trained for disaster response. Cities were selected through a competitive process based on Smart City Proposals (SCP) that outlined their vision, goals, and implementation strategies. Each selected city receives financial assistance from the central government, along with contributions from state governments and urban local bodies. Dehradun was selected as part of the Smart Cities Mission, aiming to modernize its infrastructure and improve quality of life for its residents. Key Projects and Impact on Dehradun- Integrated Command and Control Centre: Established to monitor and manage various city services like traffic management, CCTV surveillance, emergency response, and utilities. Smart Roads: Upgradation of key roads with features like intelligent traffic signals, LED street lighting, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Public Wi-Fi Zones: Deployment of Wi-Fi hotspots in strategic locations to enhance connectivity for citizens and tourists. Environment Initiatives: Implementation of projects for waste management, urban greenery, and sustainable practices. Heritage Conservation: Initiatives to preserve and promote the city's cultural heritage through restoration projects and tourism development. The Smart City projects in Dehradun are intended to enhance urban infrastructure, improve service delivery, and make the city more livable and resilient. These developments aim to attract investments, boost economic activities, and promote tourism, thereby contributing to the city's overall growth and development. Overall, the Smart Cities Mission represents a significant effort by the Indian government to transform urban spaces into efficient, sustainable, and citizen-centric environments, with Dehradun being a notable example of the positive impact of this initiative.