Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 10 Jul: In connection with the Rishikesh Saat Mod road project, BJP leader Ravindra Jugran, environmentalist Dr Deepak Joshi, and environmental activist Ravindra Singh Gusain met Divyanshu Singh, Additional Project Director (Mechanical), at the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) office in Engineers’ Enclave on GMS Road.
The delegation sought detailed information about the proposed road widening at the Saat Mod stretch and discussed public concerns regarding the project’s potential environmental impact.
The Additional Project Director explained the project in detail, stating that the originally approved 63-metre forest corridor has now been reduced to 23 metres. He informed the delegation that a three-kilometre elevated road will be constructed, and five wildlife underpasses, designed according to international standards, will be built to facilitate the safe movement of elephants and other wild animals.
He further said that around 750 trees will be transplanted, while compensatory afforestation will be carried out on allocated land to offset the approximately 3,200 trees proposed to be felled. He added that the project is expected to eliminate accidents at the section, which has long been identified as a major accident-prone stretch where heavy vehicles frequently overturn. The proposed straightened four-lane road is expected to significantly improve road safety and ensure smoother traffic flow.
The official also stated that retaining walls will be constructed along the Chandrabhaga River wherever erosion is occurring, and the entire stretch will be equipped with street lighting to further improve traffic safety and convenience. He highlighted several other anticipated benefits of the project.
The delegation requested that the NHAI provide the complete blueprint of the project so that they can study it in detail before submitting their objections and suggestions.
