The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, provided an update on the National Highways projects in the Himalayan region, emphasizing their strategic and traffic-driven importance. These projects are carefully planned after thorough evaluations of the geological, geotechnical, hydrological, and topographical conditions of the terrain, ensuring the safety and efficiency of construction in the challenging Himalayan landscape.
A significant aspect of these developments is the Chardham project, which focuses on improving five existing National Highways. These highways connect the Chardham – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath – along with the Tanakpur to Pithoragarh section, which is part of the Kailas-Mansarovar yatra route. Spanning a total length of approximately 825 kilometers, the project has already seen the completion of 606 kilometers.
In alignment with the directives of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) established a High Powered Committee (HPC) in August 2019. This committee comprises representatives from various esteemed institutes, including the Physical Research Laboratory, Wildlife Institute of India, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Central Soil Conservation Research Institute, National Institute of Disaster Management, and Forest Research Institute. The HPC is tasked with assessing the cumulative and individual impacts of the Chardham Projects on the Himalayan Valleys and providing guidelines regarding environmental impacts.
Additionally, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has set up an “Oversight Committee” to ensure the implementation of the recommendations made by the HPC, particularly concerning strategic roads such as Rishikesh – Mana, Rishikesh – Gangotri, and Tanakpur – Pithoragarh. These committees meet regularly, and their recommendations are integrated into the execution of the projects.
The progress in these road projects reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing connectivity in the Himalayan region, balancing the need for infrastructure development with environmental conservation and strategic considerations. The completion of these projects is anticipated to significantly boost connectivity for both pilgrimage and strategic movements in this challenging terrain.