PM Modi Uttarakhand Visit: Rajaji National Park Safari Halted For 3 Days Ahead Of Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Inauguration

In preparation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inauguration of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway on April 14, jungle safari operations in the Chillawali Range of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve have been suspended for three days, starting Sunday.

The Prime Minister is expected to visit the historic Dat Kali Temple to offer prayers before officially launching the project.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand: Preparations underway for the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14, for the inauguration of the Dehradun–Delhi Expressway, have reached their final stage. The Prime Minister will also offer prayers at the historic Dat Kali Temple and will… pic.twitter.com/XA0F7ZYuS5

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2026

Wildlife Corridor: Focus On Conservation

The section of the expressway stretching from Ganeshpur to Dat Kali passes directly through the ecologically sensitive Rajaji Tiger Reserve and Shivalik Range. To ensure wildlife is not disturbed by high-speed transit, a 13-kilometer-long elevated road has been constructed.

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Seamless Movement: This design allows vehicles to travel above while animals continue to move freely through the forest below.

Mitigating Disturbance: The elevated stretch is equipped with specialised sound barriers to minimise noise pollution and lighting systems designed to avoid startling the animals.

Biodiversity Success: According to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), more than 18 different species are already using this corridor for unhindered movement.

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Security Measures And Closures

The entrance to the popular Chillawali Range tourist zone is located at Mohand, adjacent to this elevated corridor. This area is known for sightings of elephants, leopards and other diverse wildlife.

In light of the high-profile inauguration and security protocols, the tourist zone will remain closed until April 14. Koko Rose, Director of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, confirmed that the decision was made following a request from the Uttar Pradesh Police to ensure comprehensive security arrangements for the Prime Minister's visit.

Project Overview

The 210-kilometer-long Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is a landmark infrastructure development designed to significantly reduce travel time between the national capital and Uttarakhand. The route features five toll plazas across its entire length.