+
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
Real Estate

DLF Returns to Mumbai with Premium Andheri Residential Project

Delhi-NCR based real estate major DLF announced its return to the Mumbai market on 17 July with the launch of its premium residential project, The WestPark, in Andheri. The first phase includes 416 apartments spread across four towers, with two towers launched on the announcement day. The company plans to invest over Rs 8 billion in the project and expects a topline exceeding Rs 20 billion from Phase 1.“We have launched two towers and, given the strong response, plan to unveil the remaining two towers ahead of schedule, within the next few days,” said Aakash Ohri, Joint Managing Director o..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

APCRDA Advances Net Zero Goal with IGBC Training for Officials

In a significant stride towards Andhra Pradesh’s Net Zero target by 2040 and the Swarna Andhra 2047 vision, the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA), in partnership with the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), conducted a high-level capacity-building programme for senior officials in Vijayawada on Friday.Held at a city hotel, the session saw the participation of over 50 senior APCRDA officials, including the Engineer-in-Chief, Chief Engineer (H&B), Director (Planning), Director (Environment), and heads of key departments. The training centred on IGBC’s Green B..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Assam Solar Project Halted as Waaree EPC Contract Is Cancelled

Following the Assam government’s withdrawal from its proposed solar project, the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract awarded to Waaree Renewable has been suspended. Waaree Group’s EPC division informed the stock exchange of this development through a regulatory filing.The Assam solar project was suspended due to funding challenges, which rendered the initiative unviable for the state government. Waaree Renewable Transmission Limited (RTL) explained that the Government of Assam has withdrawn the project’s funding via the Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan. Consequentl..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?