Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 4 Apr: In a significant boost to infrastructure and disaster management efforts in Uttarakhand, a sum of Rs 461 crore has been sanctioned for the treatment and restoration of landslide-affected stretches on key national highways in the State. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari for approving the funds. He has described the decision as a major step with long-term benefits for the State.
According to official details, the sanctioned amount includes Rs 233 crore for the treatment of 17 landslide-prone locations on National Highway-134 in Uttarkashi district, and Rs 228 crore for addressing three vulnerable stretches on the Tawaghat-Ghatiabagar section of National Highway-09 in Pithoragarh district. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce disaster risks while improving connectivity in remote and border areas of the State.
Dhami observed that NH-134, a crucial route for the Char Dham Yatra, connects Dharasu and Kuthnor to the revered Yamunotri shrine and has long been susceptible to landslides, frequently disrupting traffic and causing inconvenience to pilgrims. He said that the proposed mitigation measures would enhance the stability of the highway, ensuring safer and smoother travel for pilgrims, tourists and local residents alike.
The CM further stated that strengthening the Tawaghat-Ghatiabagar stretch on National Highway-09 would ensure uninterrupted connectivity to remote and strategically important border regions. The works are expected to provide relief to local populations while also enhancing the strategic mobility of the area, which holds significance from a national security perspective.
Emphasising the coordinated efforts of the Centre and the state, Dhami said that continuous work is being undertaken to strengthen Uttarakhand’s road network. He described the sanction as a milestone in enhancing road safety, facilitating pilgrimage routes, boosting tourism and improving disaster resilience in the Himalayan state. He added that the approval would go a long way in strengthening road safety, making the Char Dham Yatra more accessible and improving connectivity in border areas.
