PM to unveil Char Dham development programme

New Delhi, December 23

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the 900-km Char Dham Highway Development Programme in Dehradun on Tuesday, with an investment of Rs 12,000 crore.

“Modi will also lay the foundation of those road projects that have already been sanctioned,” a road ministry official said.

“The Prime Minister will launch the programme (Char Dham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna) on December 27 in Dehradun at 12.30 pm,” the official said.

“Out of the Rs 12,000 crore, around Rs 3,000-crore projects have already been sanctioned and tendered.” “The connectivity to Char Dham has been disrupted, especially after the devastating floods in Uttarakhand, hence the programme,” he said. “So, there are various problems identified. A team of experts was appointed, including consultants from IIT and other various places, to identify these bottlenecks. They have identified various zones,” he said.

There are a few zones that are landslide-prone, which come across as a major bottleneck for connectivity in Uttarakhand. “So, the programme envisages building of tunnels, viaducts, bridges and bypasses...,” he explained.

Throughout the entire state, way-side amenities would be developed, including a helipad for emergency evacuation and proper parking facilities, he added.

Earlier in the year, Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari had announced that the Centre would build a 900-km road linking the four Himalayan shrines of Uttarakhand also known as Char Dham. — PTI