Officials of the Road Transportation and Highway Ministry gave a presentation regarding Char Dham Yatra route before the Chief Minister Harish Rawat and Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti here in Dehradun on Friday. Detailed presentation was given regarding the proposed two-lane road, repairing works and other options regarding Char Dham Yatra Routes under the National Highway.
CM Rawat asserted that Uttarakhand is prone to the disaster. Char Dham Yatra is associated with tourism industry of the State, so repairing works should be started on Char Dham Yatra on priority basis. Areas with most land sliding possibilities to be given attention also. CM asked the National Highway Minister to work on two points on priority basis i.e. First prepare a long term plan and second draft a short term plan. Tunnel, alleviated road route, by-pass road etc options may be considered to improve the conditions of Yatra routes and work to be started at earliest in this regard. work on two lane to be started instead of four lane considering the coming Ardh kumbh Mela. So that road which connects the Haridwar city may be completed as soon as possible and transportation arrangements may be accessible during the Ardhkumbh.
Repairing works to be completed at earliest. Roshnabad, Biharigarh highway to be included under the NH. Rawat directed to start work on Sonparyag to Gaurikund route on top priority level. A particular plan to be drafted for Joshimath to Badrinath route. Road route of single lane to be constructed from Sonparyag to Gaurikund. local interests to be considered while working plan is being drafted by National Highway Ministry. local industries, tourism and agriculture activities should not be affected by the any proposed road route. Protection wall to be constructed where landslip occur at large scale on the Rishikesh to Badrinath National Highway. Highly capacity machines to be placed on these places. Special focus to be put on the Gangotri and Harshil. A nodal officer to be appointed by the PWD to implement working plan more speedily on Chardham Yatra route. So that this nodal officer may help the Central Road Transport and Highway Ministry in disposal of the cases related approval of forest land and other.
Chief Minister Harish Rawat suggested that Joshimath to Badrinath route near to Benakuli is in very bad condition. An alternate road to be arranged along with clearing the debris at earliest. Road ahead of Pandukeshwar is also in very bad condition, a plan needed in this regard also. NH should do work regarding protection wall near Pandukeshwar as road is being cut due to river diversion. Chief Minister instructed the Secretary Irrigation to prepare a proposal regarding kheroganga and send to water resources ministry. An additional bridge to be installed in Badrinath. A DPR to be prepared regarding the changing river channel in Kund and Tilwara on Rudraparyag to Gaurikund route with the help of Irrigation Department. Design of alternative route to be prepared.
Chief Engineer of Road Transport and National Highway Ministry AK Shriwastva gave the detail presentation regarding complete working plan. He informed that 2967 Km Roads in the State are under the National Highway Ministry. 21 national highways are there. About 1807 Km roads are under the State public works department. 429 Km. Roads are under the BRO. Rs 2073.65 Cr for NH58, Rs 1329.53 Cr for NH-58, Rs 754.08 Cr. for Rudraparyag to Gaurikund, Rs 1320.53 for NH-94 Rishikesh-Dharasu-Yamunotri, Rs 1751.65 Cr for tunnel and bridge on Dharasu to Yamunotri route. Rs 1979.45 Cr for NH-108 Dharasu to Gangotri. Rs 1408.33 Cr. for Tanakpur to Pithoragarh would be spent. Around Rs 11697.317 Cr would be spent on the construction of 889 Km roads under this project.