Char Dham Road project 75% complete; Centre informs SC
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Char Dham Road project 75% complete; Centre informs SC

The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that nearly 75% of the Char Dham all-weather highway project, spanning over 900 kilometers, is complete. This key infrastructure initiative aims to improve road connectivity to Uttarakhand’s four sacred shrines—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath—and bolster strategic access to the China border, enhancing troop mobility.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, briefed a bench comprising Justices C T Ravikumar and Ujjal Bhuyan. She stated that the Supreme Court-appointed oversight committee, led by retired Justice A K Sikri, had submitted two progress reports in April and August 2024, monitoring the project’s development while addressing environmental concerns.

The project has faced scrutiny over its ecological impact. In 2019, the Supreme Court ordered the formation of a committee to explore environmental safeguards. Environmentalist Ravi Chopra initially chaired the panel but resigned in March 2022, citing that the road ministry was disregarding the committee’s recommendations. Following his departure, Justice Sikri took over leadership.

Chopra recently criticised the project’s execution, telling the source: “By breaking the Char Dham Pariyojana into 53 smaller projects, each under 100 km, the ministry bypassed environmental impact assessments (EIA) required for large-scale developments. This has led to landslides in completed sections, causing loss of life and property, while the project remains unfinished after eight years.”

Uttarkashi-based environmentalist Suresh Bhai raised additional concerns about the remaining 100 km stretch between Uttarkashi and Gangotri, where 40 km is home to rare deodar trees. Bhai proposed an alternative route through rocky terrain, from Sukhi Top via Jaspur, Purali, Bagori, Harsil, and Mukhba to Bhairav Valley, which would avoid ecological damage and safeguard biodiversity. This path, he explained, offers abundant sunlight and minimal glacier risks, providing a sustainable option for completing the project without felling millions of trees. (ET &TOI)

The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that nearly 75% of the Char Dham all-weather highway project, spanning over 900 kilometers, is complete. This key infrastructure initiative aims to improve road connectivity to Uttarakhand’s four sacred shrines—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath—and bolster strategic access to the China border, enhancing troop mobility. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, briefed a bench comprising Justices C T Ravikumar and Ujjal Bhuyan. She stated that the Supreme Court-appointed oversight committee, led by retired Justice A K Sikri, had submitted two progress reports in April and August 2024, monitoring the project’s development while addressing environmental concerns. The project has faced scrutiny over its ecological impact. In 2019, the Supreme Court ordered the formation of a committee to explore environmental safeguards. Environmentalist Ravi Chopra initially chaired the panel but resigned in March 2022, citing that the road ministry was disregarding the committee’s recommendations. Following his departure, Justice Sikri took over leadership. Chopra recently criticised the project’s execution, telling the source: “By breaking the Char Dham Pariyojana into 53 smaller projects, each under 100 km, the ministry bypassed environmental impact assessments (EIA) required for large-scale developments. This has led to landslides in completed sections, causing loss of life and property, while the project remains unfinished after eight years.” Uttarkashi-based environmentalist Suresh Bhai raised additional concerns about the remaining 100 km stretch between Uttarkashi and Gangotri, where 40 km is home to rare deodar trees. Bhai proposed an alternative route through rocky terrain, from Sukhi Top via Jaspur, Purali, Bagori, Harsil, and Mukhba to Bhairav Valley, which would avoid ecological damage and safeguard biodiversity. This path, he explained, offers abundant sunlight and minimal glacier risks, providing a sustainable option for completing the project without felling millions of trees. (ET &TOI)

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Daikin Boosts Haryana’s Innovation Push with Rs 10 billion R&D Plan

Japanese multinational Daikin Industries has committed an investment of Rs 10 billion to set up a new research and development centre in Haryana. The proposed facility will focus on advanced technologies and sustainable industrial solutions, marking a significant boost to the state’s innovation and industrial ecosystem. The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Osaka, Japan, during a visit by a Haryana government delegation held from October 6 to 8. The MoU was signed by Amit Kumar Agrawal, Commissioner and Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, ..

Next Story
Building Material

Lloyds Metals to Build Rs 250 billion Steel Plant in Gadchiroli

Lloyds Metals & Energy Limited (LMEL) has announced an investment of Rs 250 billion aimed at transforming Gadchiroli in Maharashtra from a region once associated with the red corridor into a key industrial and growth hub. The company’s plans are centred on establishing an integrated steel production ecosystem, which will contribute significantly to regional development and employment. As part of its expansion strategy, LMEL is setting up a 4.5-million-tonne blast furnace in Gadchiroli, scheduled for completion by 2027–28, along with another 1.2-million-tonne facility in Chandrapur by 2029..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

UPI Crosses 500 Million Users, Fuels MSME and Digital Growth

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved a new milestone, surpassing 500 million consumers and 65 million merchants across India. The platform, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has expanded its reach to nearly 99 percent of the country’s pin codes, underlining its deep penetration into both urban and rural markets. According to a report by NPCI and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) launched during the Global Fintech Fest 2025, UPI has evolved from being a digital payments mechanism into a key enabler of financial inclusion and small business growth. I..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?