Road construction work in the higher terrains of Uttarakhand is underway at war footing. The Government is confident that roads to all the four major pilgrimages — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri — will be made motorable by the first week of May.
Roads in hill State of Uttarakhand were torn apart by the flash floods and torrential rains which hit the region in June last year. “All the three wings — the Centre, State and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) are working very closely and with concerted efforts to start vehicular traffic before the Char Dham pilgrimage begins in May,” said an official from the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways, overseeing all road re-construction activity in Uttarakhand.
“Efforts are underway to restore the damaged roads and bridges. We are hoping to put in place all infrastructure for vehicle mobility before the Char Dham pilgrimage in May,” said the official. The official said that by May, only the first phase of repair work will have completed but the process of restoration and reconstruction will continue as the ministry plans to make weather resistant sturdy roads which will last for at least 10-15 years.
“Pilgrims may not have the most comfortable ride on our roads but they can be assured of a safe ride,” he said. While the ministry of roads, transport and highways is working round the clock to make way for vehicular movement to the four pilgrimages, Chief Minister Harish Rawat has also directed State Disaster Management Authority to gear up and put together a dedicated team to ensure safe and smooth movement of pilgrims.
“Although funding is not an issue anymore as budgets were sanctioned in time, the only hindrance is the weather. It has been raining and there are reports of untimely storms which are creating a nuisance,” said the official.