With new infrastructure projects catalysing development in and around the national capital, the latest expressway projects are enhancing connectivity between Delhi and several distant cities, particularly in northern India. The construction of the new Himalayan Expressway will significantly reduce travel time between Delhi and Shimla. This 27.5 km stretch between the Shivaliks connects three states: Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab.
Currently, the journey from Delhi to Shimla exceeds seven hours, but with the new expressway, travel time is expected to be around 5.5 to 6 hours. Commuters from Delhi will experience substantial relief when passing through the congested towns of Kalka and Pinjore.
The Himalayan Expressway, part of the under-construction Chandigarh-Shimla Expressway, has already been opened to commuters. Once the Chandigarh-Shimla Expressway is fully operational, it will serve as a major connection between Delhi and Himachal Pradesh.
At present, traveling from Delhi to Himachal Pradesh takes over seven hours, while the commute from Delhi to Chandigarh takes around four hours. The 120-km long Shimla-Chandigarh highway will significantly reduce this travel time, saving fuel and money for commuters. The Himalayan Expressway connects several towns in Himachal Pradesh, including Zirakpur in Punjab and Panchkula in Haryana, ensuring a smoother journey for Delhi commuters and boosting tourism in the state.
Furthermore, the Chandigarh-Shimla Expressway will cut the travel time between the two cities to just two hours, and the travel time between Delhi and Shimla to just six hours. The construction of the Chandigarh-Shimla Expressway is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
