Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 26 Jun: The Union Government has claimed that with the Ardh Kumbh-2027 approaching, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is rapidly strengthening Haridwar‘s road infrastructure to ensure smooth and hassle-free movement of pilgrims and commuters. Two major infrastructure projects under construction, namely the Spur to Haridwar and the Haridwar Bypass (Package-I), have entered their final stages and, once completed, are expected to significantly ease traffic congestion within the city while providing seamless connectivity for devotees and travellers arriving from neighbouring states.
The NHAI has shared that the 51-kilometre, six-lane access-controlled Spur to Haridwar project being developed by NHAI has achieved nearly 92 per cent physical progress. So far, construction of approximately 46 kilometres of the six-lane corridor has been completed. The corridor will connect the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor with Haridwar, beginning from Halgoya Mustakam and terminating at the existing National Highway-58 near Bhaderi Rajputana. Once operational, the project will provide vehicles presently travelling from Delhi, Meerut, Saharanpur and other parts of western Uttar Pradesh with a faster and uninterrupted alternative route before entering Haridwar city, thereby substantially reducing congestion on the existing road network.
Similarly, the 15-kilometre Haridwar Bypass (Package-I) has recorded around 77 per cent physical progress, with nearly 9 kilometres of the proposed four-lane highway already completed. The bypass will begin at Bahadrabad and terminate near the Chandi Devi Temple on National Highway-34. After its completion, it is expected to considerably reduce traffic pressure in the city’s densely congested areas, including Har Ki Pauri, Chandi Chowk and Shankaracharya Chowk, providing much-needed relief from frequent traffic snarls for both pilgrims and local residents.
The completion of these two projects is expected to bring about a significant transformation in Haridwar‘s traffic management system. At present, most vehicles travelling to Haridwar pass through the city’s internal roads, resulting in severe congestion during weekends, festivals and major religious events. It was also stated that keeping in view the convenience of pilgrims and residents alike, NHAI is strengthening the city’s road infrastructure in a phased manner. While the Spur to Haridwar project will divert incoming traffic from neighbouring states before it enters the city, the Haridwar Bypass will help reduce unnecessary vehicular movement through densely populated urban areas. Together, the projects are expected to ensure safer, faster and more convenient travel for local residents, tourists and devotees.
In addition, NHAI is constructing flyovers, vehicular underpasses (VUPs) and service roads at major congestion-prone junctions, including Purkazi, Phaloda, Manglaur, Bahadrabad and Jwalapur on the Haridwar-Muzaffarnagar National Highway. These works are expected to improve road safety at accident-prone locations, reduce traffic congestion at intersections and facilitate better traffic management during the Ardh Kumbh.
The previously developed Muzaffarnagar-Nepali Farm four-lane National Highway is already operational and the government has claimed that it has considerably improved connectivity for pilgrims travelling to Haridwar, Rishikesh and the Char Dham shrines. During the Ardh Kumbh, this highway is also expected to play a vital role in reducing traffic pressure and ensuring smooth vehicular movement.
To further strengthen road safety and improve traffic management, NHAI is implementing an Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) on the Haridwar-Muzaffarnagar Highway, the Spur to Haridwar corridor and the Haridwar Bypass. The system will facilitate real-time traffic monitoring, provide timely information to road users, monitor compliance with traffic regulations and enable quicker emergency response whenever required.
NHAI aims to complete these strategically important infrastructure projects well before the commencement of Ardh Kumbh-2027. Besides offering substantial relief from traffic congestion to millions of pilgrims, the projects are also expected to boost religious tourism, strengthen regional connectivity and provide fresh impetus to the local economy.
