All-weather Char Dham road likely by next year

Neena Sharma 

Tribune News Service 

Dehradun, January 4

The Uttarakhand Government has resolved to complete work on the 899-km  all-weather Char Dham road by March 2019.  It comprises expanding the existing road and building new tunnels by cutting mountains.   

At least 75 per cent of the forest clearances have been attained for the project, and only a portion that will pass through the eco-sensitive zone is left. 

“Cutting of mountains will be completed before the    monsoon. Areas have been earmarked for muck disposal,” said Om Prakash, Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works Department. 

Union Minister for Surface Transport Nitin Gadkari is likely to arrive in Dehradun on January 8 to inspect the project. 

As the Char Dham Yatra will resume after the winter months, the authorities want to shift BSNL cables, electricity poles and water connections before that. “Inconvenience to pilgrims during the yatra cannot be ruled out, but it will be minimum. Further, it is temporary as the journey in the coming years will be more safe and easy,” said Om Prakash.       

“At least 50,000 trees will be cut and put on sale. It is difficult to transplant trees in the hilly terrain,” he said.

The government has also completed 65 per cent work  of land acquisition and  the alternative land will be given to those affected in Hairdwar. People in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag and Chamoli have been protesting against inadequate compensation.