PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Tuesday. In the meeting the two leaders discussed in detail various important proposals related to road and infrastructure development in Uttarakhand.
Dhami emphasized on the need to develop a robust and modern road network in the State which he said should take into account the state’s geographical conditions, the strategic and tactical importance of border areas and the needs for pilgrimage, tourism and disaster management. He urged for an early, positive decision on the state’s pending infrastructure proposals.
In the meeting approval for projects worth Rs 750 crore was granted under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) for the year 2026-27.
Additionally, five major projects were approved under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), with a total estimated cost of approximately Rs 2,966 crore. These include the PMC of the Srinagar bypass, the four-lane work of the Purkaji-Laksar-Haridwar road, the alignment of the Lohaghat and Pithoragarh bypasses, the four-lane expansion of the inhabited area from Majhola to Khatima and the strengthening of the Ramnagar- Ranikhet (Mohan) road. The CM also requested the Union minister for early release of the pending reimbursement amount of Rs 530.11 crore for the year 2025-26.
In the meeting the CM requested that the Haridwar Bypass Project should be completed on time in view of the upcoming Ardh Kumbh Mela in 2027. He said the bypass road would reduce traffic congestion and provide smooth travel for pilgrims and tourists. Dhami also requested expediting work on the Kotdwar Bypass Project, which would streamline regional traffic flow and provide relief to local residents from traffic jams.
The CM also requested in-principle approval of the projects worth Rs 3,000 crore to connect other routes via spurs on National Highways, to which the Union Minister gave his consent. Additionally, a Rs 300 crore project to construct a motorway and a tunnel, from Almora Sikudra Band to NH-309 was discussed and in-principle approval was given.
In the meeting the CM requested a MoU to prepare a detailed project report for remedial work in landslide-affected areas through the Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation Management Centre (ULMMC), ensuring a permanent and scientific solution in vulnerable areas.
Dhami said that with the support of the Union government the speedy implementation of all these projects will provide a new boost to road connectivity and infrastructure in Uttarakhand. This will lead to the development of border areas, promote tourism, enhance disaster management capacity and accelerate the state’s economic progress, he said.
The Union Minister of State Ajay Tamta, secretary PWD Pankaj Kumar Pandey, secretary Road Transport Brijesh Kumar Sant attended the meeting.
