**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha regarding road transport and highway projects. It addresses the expected opening of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, the status of the NH-709AD widening project, and proposals for traffic decongestion and safety modifications in Muzaffarnagar. The response was answered on February 12th, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Delhi-Dehradun Expressway:**
* The access-controlled highway is nearing completion.
* It is expected to open for traffic upon completion of the remaining work.
* **Widening of NH-709AD (Shamli to Bijnor):**
* The government has undertaken 4-laning in three packages.
* Shamli to Muzaffarnagar section was completed in January 2024.
* Muzaffarnagar to Miranpur section was completed in October 2024.
* Miranpur to Bijnor section (part of Behsuma to Bijnor project) is targeted for completion by December 2026.
* **Muzaffarnagar Bypass Decongestion:**
* A proposal for a six-lane flyover at the starting point of the Muzaffarnagar Bypass has been approved.
* The total capital cost is ₹419.47 crore.
* The project includes 3.66 km of slip/service roads.
* **Technical Modifications & Truck Terminals:**
* The Government continually assesses the requirement of vehicular traffic including the need for dedicated truck terminals.
* Decisions on implementation are based on site requirements and conformity to Indian Road Congress (IRC) codes and publications.
* The height of structures, including underpasses, has been finalized as per IRC codal provisions and site conditions.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Commuters using Delhi-Dehradun Expressway**
* **Impact:** Will benefit from a new, access-controlled highway, reducing travel time.
* **Action Required:** Await project completion for the opening of the Expressway to traffic.
**Stakeholder: Commuters and businesses along NH-709AD (Shamli to Bijnor)**
* **Impact:** Improved road infrastructure with 4-laning, leading to smoother traffic flow and reduced travel times.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of ongoing construction and any associated traffic disruptions until project completion in December 2026 (Miranpur to Bijnor section).
**Stakeholder: Residents and businesses in and around Muzaffarnagar**
* **Impact:** Reduced traffic congestion due to the six-lane flyover on the bypass.
* **Action Required:** N/A
**Stakeholder: Sugar Cane Farmers/Heavy Vehicle Users**
* **Impact:** Potential improved safety due to ongoing traffic assessments and government consideration of constructing safety modifications.
* **Action Required:** N/A
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The primary ministry responsible for answering the question regarding highway projects.
National Highway-709AD: Highway subject to widening work discussed in the question.
Delhi-Dehradun Expressway: Expressway mentioned in the question regarding its opening to the public.
Muzaffarnagar: Location relevant to the various projects and decongestion efforts mentioned.
Indian Road Congress (IRC): Organization whose codes and publications are used for highway construction.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2111
ANSWERED ON 12TH FEBRUARY, 2026
WIDENING WORK ON NH-709AD
2111. SHRI HARENDRA SINGH MALIK:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, which passes through the
Budhana and Khatauli Assembly areas of Muzaffarnagar district, is
likely to be fully opened for public use by February 2026;
(b) whether the Government has assessed the present status of the
widening work of National Highway-709AD from Shamli to Bijnor via
Muzaffarnagar and fixed a final timeline for its completion;
(c) whether the Government proposes to construct separate service
lanes or a dedicated truck terminal on the main routes used by heavy
vehicles of paper and furnace industries in Muzaffarnagar with a view
to eliminate traffic congestion within the city; and
(d) whether, in view of the height of tractor-trolleys used by sugarcane
farmers and safety requirements, the Government proposes to
introduce any technical modifications in the design and construction
of underpasses and service roads along the expressway?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)(a) The Delhi-Dehradun access-controlled highway is nearing
completion and expected to open for traffic upon completion of the
work.
(b) The Government has taken up 4-laning of the existing Shamli to
Bijnor section in three packages as detailed below:
(i) Shamli to Muzaffarnagar section of NH-709AD was completed in
January 2024.
(ii) Muzaffarnagar to Miranpur section of NH-709AD was completed
in October 2024.
(iii) Miranpur to Bijnor (part of Behsuma to Bijnor project) section of
NH-34, which is under construction and targeted for completion by
December 2026.
(c) For decongestion of Muzaffarnagar bypass, the Government has
approved a proposal with a total capital cost of ₹419.47 crore for the
construction of a six-lane flyover at the starting point of the
Muzaffarnagar Bypass, along with provision of 3.66 km of slip/service
roads.
(d) Government in Ministry of Road Transport & Highways keeps on
assessing the requirement of vehicular traffic including need of
dedicated truck terminal and decision on implementation is taken
based on-site requirements, conformity to codes and publications of
Indian Road Congress (IRC). The height of various structures including
underpasses, has been finalised as per IRC codal provision, site
condition etc.
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