Taking lessons from the unprecedented rains in June, which washed away most of the road network in the high terrains of Uttarakhand, the Centre is thinking hard to redevelop and remodel the existing highways into sturdier and more efficient two-lane national highways.
The Government has invited proposals to hire consultants to provide long-term hill road building solutions. Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has floated bids this week, to appoint think-tanks who could draw up solutions for long-lasting hill highways.
"Most roads in Uttarakhand were carved out and developed in an unplanned manner. Some were made from walking paths to roads and were gradually christened 'highways' and some just came up to join the existing road network. The plan is to re-build the road network in the hills, which will keep the slopes intact — both up the hill and in the valley. We will also re-work on the drainage and water channels," said an official from MoRTH.
The Ministry of Roads wants to the give the hill roads, the semblance of national highways, which would not just serve for a "medium term," but last at least five to 10 years, besides ensuring speed and time efficiency. "The plan is to appoint good consultants to provide long term road building solutions, keeping in the mind the weather, geological and hydrological requirements of the hill region. This redevelopment project will not be a rushed one but will be undertaken after all necessary fieldwork and thinking," said the senior official.
"It is too early to even plan the investment requirement at the moment. This very process of hiring consultants and them presenting research reports will take a year or more," he said. As an immediate measure to restore the road conditions in Uttarakhand, MoRTH has sought Rs 200 crore from the Centre. They plan to start the restoration exercise from September once the monsoon season comes to a close.