ANJALI YADAV / Dehradun
With the monsoon approaching and pilgrim traffic increasing steadily on the Char Dham Yatra routes, the Uttarakhand Public Works Department (PWD)’s National Highways Division informed that it has deployed 103 machines across major highways to tackle possible landslides, road blockages and traffic disruptions during the Yatra season.
The officials stated that the department has stationed 62 JCBs, eight wheel dozers and 33 excavators at vulnerable stretches along the Char Dham routes to ensure faster road clearance during heavy rainfall. The deployment covers the key routes, including Rishikesh-Rudraprayag, Rudraprayag-Gaurikund, Chamoli-Kund, Dharasu Bend-Phoolchatti, Herbertpur-Barkot Bend, Helang-Mana and Rishikesh-Gangotri.
The officials further said that the highest number of machines has been deployed on the Rishikesh-Gangotri stretch of NH-34, where 34 machines, including 18 excavators, will remain stationed. Another 21 machines have been deployed on the Rudraprayag-Helang section of NH-07. “These arrangements have been made keeping in mind the recurring monsoon-related disruptions witnessed on Char Dham highways every year, particularly due to landslides and falling debris in the hilly areas,” said a senior PWD’s NH division officer.
“We have also identified several sensitive and landslide-prone zones along the pilgrimage routes where extra monitoring and emergency response arrangements will remain in place during the rainy season. These include Neer Gaddu, Tapovan, Shivpuri, Kodiyala, Totaghati, Sirobagarh and Lambagarh on the Rishikesh-Rudraprayag route, along with Medanpur, Banswara and Munkutiya on the Kedarnath route,” he stated.
To avoid long traffic disruptions in case of highway blockages, the department has prepared alternative routes for emergency diversions. These include the Rishikesh-Khari-Gaja-Devprayag road, Rishikesh-Chamba-Gadoliya-Maletha NH-707A, Rudraprayag-Tilwara-Ghansali-Tehri-Rishikesh route and the Guptkashi-Mayali motor road.
The officials said that teams will remain alert throughout the monsoon season to ensure smooth movement of pilgrims and quick restoration of roads in case of weather-related damage.
