PM Modi Makes Chardham Yatra Easier, Read How
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch an all-weather 900-km Chardham Highway Development programme in Dehradun today, with an investment of Rs. 12,000 crore which will connect all four Himalayan shrines spots Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, making it easier for pilgrims to visit all four locations known collectively as ‘Chardham’.
ALSO READ: Rain fury In Uttarakhand: River Alaknanda Reaches Danger Mark, Temples Submerge
Earlier in the year, Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari had announced that the Centre will build a 900-km road linking the four Himalayan shrines of Uttarakhand also known as chardham.
PM Modi will also lay the foundation of those road projects under the programme that have already been sanctioned, a road ministry official said.
ALSO READ: Rescue Operations Continue In Uttarakhand After Cloudburst, CM says ‘No Need To Panic’
“The Prime Minister will launch the Chardham Highway Development programme (Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna) on December 27, at 12:30 pm in Dehradun,” 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 Chardham has been disrupted, especially after the devastating floods in Uttarakhand, hence the programme, he said.
ALSO READ: 17 Dead,15 Missing In Rain-Affected Uttarakhand; CM Announces Rs 2 Lakh Ex-Gratia
“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, he added.
ALSO READ: Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat Writes to PM Modi Asking Centre To Release Funds
“So, the programme envisages building of tunnels, viaducts, bridges, and bypasses…,” he explained.
Throughout the entire state, way-side amenities will be developed, including helipad for emergency evacuation, proper parking facilities and the like, he added.