Motorists who took about eight to nine hours to reach Haridwar/Dehradun from Sitarganj presently, will be able to cross this distance within only four hours once the expansion works of converting the Sitarganj-Haridwar highway into a four-lane road with divider will be completed within next two years.
The four lane works of the Sitarganj-Haridwar national highway are being carried out in two parts i.e. from Bazpur (Doraha) to Sitarganj and from the same Bazpur (Doraha) to Haridwar.
“The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has handed over the task of converting the said road into a four-lane road to a private company,” said Promod Kumar, Project Director, NHAI's Rudrapur unit, who is looking after the four lane works between Bazpur (Doraha) and Sitarganj, while talking to The Pioneer.
It is to note that road expansion work on the second part of the said road from Bazpur (Dohraha) to Haridwar is being carried out under the supervision of NHAI, Dehradun unit.
“The estimated cost of the said four lane project between the Bazpur (Dohara) and Sitarganj is about Rs 600 crore. This is a rough estimate,” added the Project Director, NHAI, Rudrapur. The interesting fact is that the Government will not spend any money on this road project. Rather entire cost of this road project will be borne out by the said private road construction company.
The said road construction company will recover the road construction cost through toll tax from vehicles plying on this road stretch, added Kumar.The NHAI has hired the private construction company on built and operate basis.
Apart from expanding the existing national highway into four lanes, divider will be also be built on this national highway. So the vehicles will have a hassle free journey on the said road.
Besides, as the officials concerned of the NHAI informed many over bridges will also be constructed at railway crossings and other busy places to ensure a smooth and safe journey on the said road. Besides, as per need bypasses will also be constructed for expansion of this Sitarganj -Haridwar Road.
The distance between Sitarganj and Haridwar is about 250 km. However, the distance will also be reduced after creating over bridges on this said road. As the experts here believe a hassle free road stretch connecting two important districts Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar will also come in handy to ensure safe movements for the wild animals in different forest areas which fall along the aforesaid road between Sitarganj and Haridwar. Works have already been started on this said road project.
When asked about certain other formalities like land acquisition process, the Project Director, NHAI, Rudrapur unit Kumar informed that most of such formalities have almost been completed and the process is on to ensure timely completion of the said project.