Trial traffic began on Monday on a bridge-tunnel route in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, connecting the Kedarnath and Badrinath national highways. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inspected the project and said it would ease congestion in the town during the Chardham pilgrimage season.

The approximately 1.18-km route comprises a 200-metre bridge and a 900.30-metre tunnel constructed over the Alaknanda River under the Chardham Road Project. Built at a cost of Rs. 1.56 bn, it links Kedarnath National Highway (NH-107) with Badrinath National Highway (NH-07).

Dhami said the route would be formally inaugurated soon and, once regular traffic begins, pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath and Badrinath would not need to pass through the Rudraprayag market. Officials said this would reduce pressure on the town’s roads during the yatra and provide relief to residents and visitors affected by traffic jams.

The chief minister said improved road connectivity and modern infrastructure were intended to make the pilgrimage safer and more accessible while supporting local trade, tourism and employment. He also reviewed slope protection and stabilisation work in landslide-affected areas along the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund National Highway, where officials said the measures were aimed at reducing risks and improving road safety.

Dhami later visited the Sangam Library, established under the district administration’s Donate a Book, Plant a Tree of Knowledge campaign. The library has received more than 2,500 books covering competitive examinations, general knowledge, literature and other subjects, while Dhami contributed 150 books. District Magistrate Vishal Mishra said the material was being made available to students and readers, particularly young people preparing for competitive examinations, with public participation helping libraries become knowledge centres.