Traffic Trial Begins on ₹156-Crore Rudraprayag Bridge-Tunnel Project; Inauguration Soon: CM Dhami
Project to connect Kedarnath and Badrinath National Highways, easing congestion in Rudraprayag during Char Dham Yatra
Chief Minister inspects bridge-tunnel project and Sangam Library, praises ‘Donate a Book, Plant a Tree of Knowledge’ campaign
Rudraprayag: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inspected the bridge-tunnel project constructed under the Char Dham Road Project in Rudraprayag on Monday. Trial-based traffic movement has begun on the project, built at an estimated cost of ₹156 crore. The Chief Minister said the project would be formally inaugurated soon.
The new route is expected to improve connectivity for pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath and Badrinath and help reduce traffic congestion in Rudraprayag town, particularly during the Char Dham Yatra season.
During the visit, the Chief Minister also inspected Sangam Library, which is being developed under the district administration’s initiative, ‘Donate a Book, Plant a Tree of Knowledge’. He appreciated the campaign for encouraging reading habits among students and strengthening public access to educational resources.
200-Metre Bridge and 900.30-Metre Tunnel
The project includes a 200-metre-long bridge over the Alaknanda River and a 900.30-metre-long tunnel. The total length of the project, including the bridge, tunnel and approach roads, is approximately 1.18 kilometres. It has been constructed at an estimated cost of ₹156 crore.
The bridge-tunnel route will directly connect the Kedarnath National Highway (NH-107) with the Badrinath National Highway (NH-07). Once regular traffic operations begin, pilgrims travelling towards the two major pilgrimage destinations will be able to bypass Rudraprayag’s main market area.
The new connectivity is expected to ease traffic pressure in the town, reduce delays during the pilgrimage season and improve convenience for both local residents and visitors.
Dhami said the state government was committed to making the Char Dham Yatra smoother, safer and better organised. He added that improved road connectivity and modern infrastructure would benefit pilgrims while supporting local businesses, tourism and employment opportunities.
Review of Landslide Protection Works
The Chief Minister also reviewed information on slope protection and stabilisation works being undertaken in landslide-affected stretches of the Rudraprayag–Gaurikund National Highway.
These measures aim to reduce landslide-related risks, strengthen vulnerable road sections and improve the safety of pilgrims and other road users. Safe and reliable road infrastructure remains particularly important during the Char Dham Yatra, when traffic volumes increase significantly.
Sangam Library Receives More Than 2,500 Books
Dhami also visited Sangam Library under the district administration’s ‘Donate a Book, Plant a Tree of Knowledge’ campaign, launched on the initiative of Rudraprayag District Magistrate Vishal Mishra.
The campaign aims to develop reading habits among students, provide useful study material for competitive examinations and strengthen public libraries through community participation.
Sangam Library has received more than 2,500 books so far. The collection includes material for competitive examinations, general knowledge, literature and various other subjects. Elected representatives, government officials and members of the public have contributed to the initiative.
The Chief Minister has also supported the campaign by donating 150 books.
Emphasising the importance of reading, Dhami said books play a vital role in acquiring knowledge, broadening perspectives and shaping an individual’s personality. He noted that book donation initiatives could be particularly beneficial for students who need access to study material while preparing for competitive examinations.
He added that community participation in strengthening libraries would help promote a culture of reading and lifelong learning among young people.
District Administration Focuses on Educational Support
District Magistrate Vishal Mishra said the books collected through the campaign were being made available to students and other readers. The initiative is expected to benefit young people, particularly those preparing for competitive examinations.
He said the district administration was working to develop libraries into effective centres for learning, knowledge-sharing and academic support through public participation.
Several public representatives and officials were present during the Chief Minister’s visit, including Cabinet Minister Bharat Singh Chaudhary, Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Vice-Chairman Vijay Kaparwan, Frontier 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, Director General of Information Banshidhar Tiwari, District Magistrate Vishal Mishra, Chief Development Officer Rajendra Singh Rawat and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sohan Singh Saini, along with other public representatives and officials.
