Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 20 Aug: The long-awaited Najibabad–Kotdwar National Highway, a crucial link for Garhwal, is expected to be fully ready for smooth travel by December this year. Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari shared this update in the Rajya Sabha while responding to unstarred question number 3152 raised by BJP State President and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt.
Gadkari shared that the 15.56-kilometre stretch from Najibabad to Kotdwar is being developed as a two-lane highway with paved shoulders, aimed at improving connectivity and easing vehicular movement in the region.
He informed the House that approximately forty per cent of the construction work has already been completed, with the total project cost estimated to be Rs 107.43 crore. He claimed that the ministry is targeting December 2025 for the completion of the entire stretch, after which the highway will be fully operational for traffic. The project is expected to significantly enhance access to Garhwal and facilitate economic and social development in the adjoining areas.
In the same context, Gadkari also mentioned the proposal for a 5.95-kilometre-long, four-lane Kotdwar bypass highway. Although a tender had been floated earlier for this bypass, the process was cancelled due to delays in land transfer. He clarified that once this technical hurdle is resolved, the bypass will be taken up afresh through a separate bidding process. The bypass is anticipated to further decongest traffic and streamline movement around Kotdwar, which serves as a vital gateway to the hills.
