Garhwal Post Bureau
Rudraprayag, 26 Oct: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today reviewed the bridge and tunnel project constructed under the Char Dham Road Project in Rudraprayag and indicated that this important infrastructure project would be formally inaugurated soon. The trial movement of the vehicles also began today following the inspection by the CM. During his visit, he also inspected the Sangam Library being operated under the district administration’s ‘Donate a Book, Plant a Tree of Knowledge’ campaign and appreciated the initiative aimed at promoting reading habits among students and youth.
Constructed under the Char Dham Road Project at a cost of around Rs 156 crores, the project comprises a 200-metre-long bridge over the Alaknanda River and a 900.30-metre-long tunnel. Including the bridge, tunnel and approach roads, the total length of the project is approximately 1.18 kilometres. The project will directly connect the Kedarnath National Highway (NH-107) with the Badrinath National Highway (NH-07), significantly improving connectivity in the region.
Trial movement of vehicles on the bridge-tunnel route has also begun today. Dhami said the project would shortly be inaugurated formally. Once regular traffic begins on the route, pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath and Badrinath Dhams will no longer be required to pass through the Rudraprayag market area. This is expected to substantially reduce traffic pressure in the town during the Char Dham Yatra and provide relief from congestion to both local residents and pilgrims.
The CM claimed that making the Char Dham Yatra more convenient, safe and well-organised remains a priority of the state government. He noted that improved road connectivity and modern infrastructure would not only enhance facilities for pilgrims but also strengthen local trade, tourism and employment opportunities.
During the visit, Dhami also reviewed slope protection and stabilisation works being carried out in landslide-prone areas along the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund National Highway. These works are aimed at reducing landslide-related risks and making the pilgrimage route safer and more resilient.
Besides this, he also inspected the Sangam Library established under the district administration’s ‘Donate a Book, Plant a Tree of Knowledge’ campaign and praised the innovative initiative. Launched on the initiative of District Magistrate Rudraprayag, Vishal Mishra, the campaign seeks to cultivate an interest in reading among students, provide useful books for competitive examination preparation and enrich public libraries.
The campaign has received enthusiastic support from public representatives, government officials and members of the public. Under the initiative, the Sangam Library has so far received more than 2,500 books, including titles related to competitive examinations, general knowledge, literature and various academic subjects. Dhami himself has contributed 150 books to the campaign.
The CM observed that the books are an important medium for acquiring knowledge and shaping personality. He added that the book donation campaigns are particularly beneficial for the students who require study material for competitive examinations. He added that efforts to strengthen libraries through public participation would encourage a culture of reading and learning among young people.
DM Vishal Mishra said the books collected through the campaign are being made available to the students and readers, particularly those preparing for competitive examinations. He said efforts are also being made to develop libraries into effective centres of study and knowledge enhancement through active public participation.
Among those present on the occasion were Cabinet Minister Bharat Singh Chaudhary, Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Vice-Chairman Vijay Kapruwan, Border Area Monitoring Council Vice-Chairman Chandi Prasad Bhatt, State Women’s Commission Vice-Chairperson Aishwarya Rawat, District Panchayat Chairperson Poonam Kathait, BJP district president Bharat Bhushan Bhatt, Girwar Singh Rawat and Zila Panchayat members Jaivardhan Kandpal, Amit Kumar Maikhanda and Gambhir Singh Bisht, former BJP district president Mahavir Panwar, BJP State Working Committee member Ajay Semwal.
