New Delhi, 30 June (H.S.)The Central government has agreed to provide approximately Rs 7,000 crore for strengthening road infrastructure in Uttarakhand following a meeting between Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Tuesday.

During the meeting, chaired by Gadkari, the two leaders discussed several key proposals related to road connectivity and infrastructure development in Uttarakhand.

Chief Minister Dhami emphasised the need to develop a robust and modern road network in the state, keeping in view Uttarakhand's challenging geographical conditions, the strategic importance of its border areas, the requirements of pilgrimage and tourism, and disaster management. He urged the Union Minister to expedite decisions on several pending proposals.

In a post on social media platform Facebook, the Chief Minister said the Centre had agreed to approve projects worth nearly Rs 750 crore for the state under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) for the financial year 2026-27.

He further said that five major projects under the National Highways (Original) (NH(O)) programme had also been approved at an estimated cost of about Rs 2,966 crore. These include the Project Management Consultancy (PMC) for the Srinagar Bypass, four-laning of the Purkazi-Laksar-Haridwar road, alignment work for the Lohaghat and Pithoragarh bypasses, four-lane expansion of the populated stretch between Majhola and Khatima, and strengthening of the Ramnagar-Ranikhet (Mohan) road.

The Chief Minister also requested the early release of the pending reimbursement of Rs 530.11 crore due up to the financial year 2025-26.

Dhami said he had requested the timely completion of the Haridwar Bypass project in view of the Ardh Kumbh Mela scheduled for 2027. He said the project would ease traffic congestion and provide smoother movement for pilgrims and tourists. He also urged the Centre to expedite work on the Kotdwar Bypass project to improve regional traffic flow and provide relief to local residents from frequent traffic congestion. Both proposals received approval.

The Chief Minister said he also sought in-principle approval for projects worth around Rs 3,000 crore aimed at improving connectivity between various roads and the National Highway network. The Union Minister responded positively to the request.

In addition, discussions were held and in-principle approval was reached for a project worth approximately Rs 300 crore for the construction of a motor road, including a tunnel, connecting Sikura Band in Almora district to National Highway-309.

Keeping disaster management in view, the Chief Minister requested approval for engaging the Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation Management Centre to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for remedial works in landslide-prone areas to ensure permanent and scientific solutions in vulnerable regions. The Ministry approved the proposal.

Dhami also urged the Centre to expedite approvals for pending matters related to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), particularly the DPR for the Hina-Tekhla-Netala-Garampani section of the Rishikesh-Gangotri National Highway and the revised proposal for the Joshimath Bypass.

He further requested amendments to the existing provision requiring additional performance security in cases where contracts are awarded at exceptionally low bid rates, stating that such changes would facilitate timely and quality execution of road construction and slope treatment works in the state's mountainous terrain.

Expressing confidence, the Chief Minister said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the continued support of the Central government, the early implementation of these projects would significantly strengthen Uttarakhand's road connectivity and infrastructure. He said the projects would accelerate the development of border areas, promote tourism, enhance disaster management capabilities, and boost the state's economic growth.

Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta, Public Works Department Secretary Dr Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Road Transport Secretary Brijesh Kumar Sant, Resident Commissioner Ajay Mishra, and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar