Badrinath to Become Smart Spiritual Hill Town by 2026

24 Jun 2025 CW Team

Badrinath Dham is undergoing a major transformation into a 'Smart Spiritual Hill Town', under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the direct leadership of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The initiative seeks to reimagine the revered Himalayan pilgrimage destination for the next 50 years, with a comprehensive upgrade to infrastructure and pilgrim services.

At the core of this transformation is the Shri Badrinath Dham Corridor Project, which is being rapidly executed with civil works by M/s Gawar Construction Limited and architectural planning by INI Design Studio. The project spans 85 acres and is designed to blend spirituality with smart urban planning.

Key Features of the Development:

A seamless corridor linking the main road to the Badrinath Temple, integrating all significant river ghats.
Construction of spacious waiting halls, modern cloakrooms, extensive parking areas, and a scenic riverfront along the Alaknanda.
Development of thematic galleries, a museum, and paved pathways connecting nearby shrines.
An inter-state bus terminal and various civic amenities under the broader Smart City initiative.

Special architectural provisions are being made to withstand extreme weather, including snowfall, ensuring durability and safety for pilgrims year-round.

Vision and Commitment

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that, much like the transformation witnessed at Sanatan pilgrimage centres such as Kashi, Ayodhya, Kedarnath, and Ujjain, Badrinath is now poised to receive world-class facilities while preserving its spiritual sanctity.

He added that the government remains fully committed to completing the master plan by late 2025 or early 2026, marking a new chapter in Uttarakhand’s spiritual and infrastructural development.

This large-scale redevelopment is expected to significantly improve pilgrim experience, ensure better crowd management, and prepare Badrinath Dham for increasing footfall in the decades to come.

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