Uttarakhand Accelerates Infrastructure Push as CM Dhami Reviews National Highway Projects with Nitin Gadkari

New Delhi/Dehradun, Jan 2026 : Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday said that the hill state is rapidly moving on the path of development with the creation of a smooth, safe, modern, and future-ready road network, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the sustained efforts of Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. Emphasising the transformative impact of highway infrastructure, the Chief Minister said improved road connectivity is emerging as the backbone of Uttarakhand’s economic growth, tourism, border security, and disaster preparedness.

According to a press release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Dhami participated in a high-level review meeting of National Highway projects at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and attended by Union Ministers of State Ajay Tamta and Harsh Malhotra, along with senior officials of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the Uttarakhand government.

During the meeting, Chief Minister Dhami raised several key state-specific issues related to national highway development and sought approval for a series of strategic road projects aimed at improving connectivity across the plains, hills, border regions, and pilgrimage routes of Uttarakhand. Among the major proposals discussed were the Rishikesh bypass, the Almora–Danya–Panar–Ghat road, the Jeolikot–Khairna–Gairsain–Karnprayag road, and the Almora–Bageshwar–Kanda–Udiari Mor road.

Providing details of the proposed Rishikesh bypass under National Highway No. 7, officials said a four-lane bypass of 12.67 kilometres has been planned from Teenpani to Kharasrot via Yoga Nagari, at an estimated cost of ₹1,161.27 crore. This ambitious project includes a 4.876-kilometre elevated stretch designed to protect three elephant corridors, a 200-metre bridge over the Chandrabhaga River, and a 76-metre road overbridge (ROB) at the railway portal. In addition, a separate 76-metre-long ROB is proposed at the Shyampur railway crossing at a cost of ₹318 crore. Once completed, this infrastructure will ensure uninterrupted and congestion-free traffic movement from Nepali Farm to Rishikesh Nataraja Chowk, significantly easing traffic pressure in the region.

For the Almora–Danya–Panar–Ghat road under National Highway No. 309B, a proposal for two-lane widening of the 76-kilometre stretch has been put forward, with an estimated cost of ₹988 crore. Similarly, under National Highway No. 109, two-lane widening has been proposed for the 235-kilometre-long Jeolikot–Khairna–Gairsain–Karnprayag road, which is a crucial link connecting Kumaon and Garhwal regions.

The Almora–Bageshwar–Kanda–Udiari Mor road, falling under National Highway No. 309A, has also been identified as a priority corridor. Works have been proposed for Packages 1, 2, and 5 of this road, covering a total length of 84.04 kilometres, at a cost of ₹1,001.99 crore. Notably, the Government of India has already approved the forest land transfer proposal for the Kanda–Bageshwar section (Package-02), paving the way for faster execution.

Chief Minister Dhami said that Uttarakhand has made remarkable progress in strengthening its road infrastructure over the past few years. “Our roads are not only facilitating pilgrimage and tourism, but are also reinforcing industry, border security, disaster management, and the local economy. This transformation is not just about laying asphalt; it is the result of visionary leadership and a development-oriented approach,” he said. Dhami added that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s relentless efforts, Uttarakhand is witnessing an unprecedented expansion of modern and resilient road infrastructure.

To ensure a smooth, safe, and accessible Char Dham Yatra, projects worth ₹12,769 crore under the Char Dham Mahamarg Project on National Highways have been approved. Uttarakhand currently has a national highway network spanning 3,723 kilometres, connecting the state with major regions across the country. Of this, approximately 597 kilometres have been designed and implemented by NHAI. Projects covering over 336 kilometres have already been completed, while construction work is ongoing on around 193 kilometres, with an estimated investment exceeding ₹15,890 crore.

These projects are significantly improving connectivity to key religious, urban, and industrial centres, including Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Rudrapur, Kashipur, Haldwani, and Kathgodam. The CMO said four-lane corridors such as Kashipur–Sitaranganj (77 km), Rudrapur–Kathgodam (50 km), and Haridwar–Nagina (67 km) have played a vital role in enhancing access to industrial hubs, agricultural markets, and major tourist destinations.

Under the Delhi–Dehradun Corridor, around 30 kilometres of a six-lane, access-controlled highway has been developed in the Ganeshpur–Dehradun section. This includes a tunnel and an 18-kilometre elevated stretch, with an investment of over ₹1,995 crore. Additional projects like the Dehradun Bypass (12 km, ₹716 crore) and Haridwar Bypass (15 km, ₹1,603 crore) are expected to substantially reduce congestion in urban areas.

To strengthen international connectivity and trade, a four-kilometre road linking the Banbasa Integrated Check Post (ICP) on the India–Nepal border is being developed at a cost of ₹366 crore. Meanwhile, projects such as the Rudrapur–Kashipur Bypass and the Haridwar Link to the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway are directly integrating Uttarakhand with the national expressway network.

With road safety as a central focus, measures such as black spot rectification, improved access control at critical intersections, advanced signage, and modern safety systems are being implemented statewide. In mountainous areas, operation and maintenance projects are ensuring year-round road safety and reliability.

Looking ahead, several future-oriented projects are in preparation or DPR stages. These include the Mussoorie–Dehradun connectivity project (40 km, ₹4,000 crore), the Haridwar–Haldwani high-speed corridor (197 km, ₹10,000 crore), the Rishikesh bypass (13 km, ₹1,200 crore), the Dehradun Ring Road (13 km, ₹1,200 crore), and the Lalkuan–Haldwani–Kathgodam bypass. These initiatives are expected to significantly enhance connectivity between the Garhwal and Kumaon regions.

Environmental sensitivity remains a key consideration. Elevated roads, wildlife underpasses, and minimal land-use strategies are being adopted, particularly in ecologically sensitive zones such as the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, to balance development with conservation.

On the Silkyara–Polgaon tunnel, officials informed that civil construction work is nearly 90 percent complete. The central wall inside the tunnel is expected to be finished within the next five to six months, followed by electrical and mechanical installations. The tunnel is targeted for completion by March 2027.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari assured the Chief Minister that appropriate action would be taken on the proposals submitted by the Uttarakhand government. He directed officials to ensure that all ongoing projects in the state are completed within the stipulated timelines while maintaining the highest quality standards.