In tune with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plan to increase link routes to Char Dham — four major pilgrimages for Hindus in Uttarakhand — the Ministries of Roads, Aviation and Railways together are drawing up a comprehensive plan to create a robust road, air as well as railway network to the higher reaches of the State.
The officials met last Wednesday to explore all possible options to augment transport and regional connectivity to the four pilgrimages - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The agenda note, circulated for the meeting, said a comprehensive development plan may be prepared in consultation with the railways, roads and civil aviation ministries”.
“Ever since the cloud burst ravaged the upper reaches of Uttarakhand last June (last year), different ministries have been working on independent projects to enhance connectivity. But under the new leadership, the various ministries have been asked to work together to come up with a comprehensive network of routes to connect Char Dham”, said an official from the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways.
“This was the second meeting since June. We have been asked to identify the possible and efficient modes of transports on the routes so as to enhance connectivity and increase pilgrim footfall keeping safety measures in mind”, he said.According to the official, the idea behind combined meetings was to identify multiple, efficient all-weather transport systems for the routes.The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has also been roped in for the project, where they have been asked to chalk out a regional development plan along with the various transport ministries.
“Only creating links will not be enough. An adequate infrastructure also has to put in place to cater to the needs of the increased traffic to these places”, he said.Modi has also asked the Ministry of roads to draw up a blueprint to connect Kailash Mansarovar to India by an alternative concrete road network. At the moment, there are two trek routes to the pilgrimage, which are in poor shape.
The distance between New Delhi and Kailash-Mansarovar via Uttrakhand is 865 km. The route passes through difficult terrain. Feasibility studies will be undertaken soon. While in India it was race against time for the administration to beat the Kosi fury, the Indian delegation accompanying PM Narendra Modi to Kathmandu is expected to take up the issue of flooding with the Nepal Government on a priority basis. “Flood control and river training are going to be part of discussions. India has given over Rs200 crores as help for embankment and flood control and we are ready to give more. But we need to have some quick results. We also need real-time information sharing on the rivers, which as of now is not much”, said an official from Ministry of External Affairs.
India had also raised its concerns during the joint commission meeting between India amd Nepal that was chaired by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Nepali counterpart Mahendra Pandey.
Indian officials are trying to move on pending hydel power projects in Nepal raising concerns over floods. On Sunday India and Nepal signed a pact on Pancheswar Development Authority, a joint hydropower project to be developed on Mahakali river bordering Nepal and India. This project besides generating electricity will also offer water for irrigation to a vast area of agricultural land both in Nepal and India along with flood control downstream.
The Investment Board Nepal (IBN) and India's GMR Consortium are likely to sign a power development agreement for 900 megawatt Upper Karnali Hydropower Project. This will prevent flooding in Ghagra river. The Sapta Koshi High Dam Multipurpose Project remains incomplete due strong resistance from political parties and the local population fearing flooding in the low lying areas of Nepal. India feels the 269-metre-high dam will help prevent flooding on both sides.