If you have travelled to Mussoorie in recent years, you might have experienced long stretches of traffic jams along the roads. To help and support travellers and relieve them from enduring prolonged traffic congestion, the central government has approved the alignment of a new 42-kilometre-long national highway to facilitate better connectivity between Dehradun and Mussoorie.
The new highway will be built at an estimated cost of approximately ₹3,500 crore and is expected to significantly ease travel. While it may appear to be a routine highway extension, the project will stand out due to two major engineering marvels—the construction of two tunnels beneath the George Everest and Mussoorie mountains. The project has been taken over by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), while the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology has been entrusted with the responsibility of mountain safety assessments.
Essential details of the project
The new highway project will cost the government close to ₹3,500 crore and will span a total length of 42 kilometres. The highway will start from Jhajra and extend to Library Chowk in Mussoorie. It will connect NH-707A (Mussoorie–Kempty Falls Road) via the new Chaskot–Khanji Nagar route.
One of the most significant features of the project is the construction of two tunnels. The first tunnel will be built beneath the George Everest region and will be 2.9 km long, while the second tunnel, measuring 2 km, will pass through the Mussoorie hills. These tunnels will allow vehicles to pass directly through the mountains instead of navigating sharp turns, steep climbs, and landslide-prone stretches, making travel safer and faster.
Currently, the Dehradun–Mussoorie route is frequently affected by traffic jams, especially near the Galogi Power House. Another alternative, the Kimari route, often remains closed during the monsoon season. The new highway will begin at Jhajra, easing intra-city traffic and enabling tourists from the Delhi NCR region to reach Mussoorie more directly.
Wadia Institute examining mountain stability
Given the high sensitivity of the Himalayan region, NHAI is taking no risks. Scientists from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology are conducting extensive geological surveys of the soil and rock formations along the alignment to ensure there is no risk of landslides during or after construction.
