India, April 14 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India is focusing on development that balances nature, progress, and culture, as he inaugurated the 213 km Delhi-Dehradun economic corridor, which will reduce travel time between the two cities from over six hours to around two and a half hours.

Modi said the corridor will save time, fuel and travel costs. He added it will create employment and boost tourism in cities such as Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh and Mussoorie, and facilitate travel to the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.

Officials said the six-lane access-controlled corridor, which passes through Uttar Pradesh, has been built at a cost of over Rs.12,000 crore. The project includes 10 interchanges, three railway over br...