Dhami meets Gadkari, seeks approval for key road projects amid rising Char Dham traffic
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Highlighting the significant rise in tourist footfall during the Char Dham Yatra in recent years and the resulting pressure on the State’s roads, Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami told Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari that enhancing the traffic-carrying capacity of roads, along with their proper maintenance, is essential. He said that early approval of several key infrastructure projects which are crucial for regional connectivity, tourism and economic progress, remains a top priority for the State government.
During a meeting held in New Delhi on Thursday, Dhami urged Gadkari to expedite approvals for multiple road and infrastructure projects in Uttarakhand. Both discussed various proposals in detail. Gadkari agreed to ensure annual compensation to the State as per growth under the central road infrastructure fund for pending reimbursements.
A major decision was also taken regarding the construction of a 26-kilometre elevated road loop along the Bindal and Rispana rivers under National Highway-07. The Uttarakhand government will carry out land acquisition and forest land transfer for the project. The project, with a cost of Rs 6,164 crore, will see the central government bearing the remaining cost, provided the State waives off SGST and royalty charges.
Similarly, for the realignment of NH-109 (old 87) due to Pantnagar Airport expansion, the central government will bear the additional cost of Rs 183 crore once the State exempts SGST on the project. Gadkari also approved the construction of the Khatima Ring Road through the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), widening of NH-507 from 12 to 40 km (Barwala-Katapathar-Juddo-Lakhwar Band stretch) and widening of NH-534 from 157 to 175 km (Dugadda-Gumkhal stretch).
The meeting also cleared the way for a final decision on the 10.88-km first phase of the Rishikesh Bypass (Nepali Farm to Dhalwala) at a cost of Rs 1,546 crore, once forest land transfer is completed within the next three months along an alternative alignment along the boundary of Rajaji National Park. It was also decided that the tender approval process for the Kedarnath ropeway project, set to be developed by National Highways and Logistics Management Limited, will move forward following discussions between the CM and Gadkari.
