ANJALI YADAV/Dehradun
Concerns are increasing over the condition of various bridges on the Char Dham Yatra routes as the monsoon season approaches. Drivers and local commuters travelling on the pilgrimage routes have claimed that many bridges are damaged, operating one-way or are only suitable for light vehicles due to safety concerns.
Preeti Pundir, who visited Badrinath and Kedarnath last week, expressed fears over the impact of heavy rainfall during the upcoming monsoon which could further weaken already affected structures and create difficulties for pilgrims travelling to the Himalayan shrines. A driver operating on the Yamunotri route Sunil Singh said that a bridge located between Paligad and Hojri is currently in a weak condition. According to him, a temporary arrangement has been made at the spot, but many travellers still do not feel fully safe while crossing the bridge.
“People remain worried while crossing because the structure does not appear completely secure. During rains, the situation may become more risky,” he said. Another bridge near Syanachatti on the Yamunotri highway is also reportedly in poor condition. Singh said that the bridge may have weakened further after heavy rainfall and flood damage witnessed during the last monsoon season.
Another commuter on the route Akshay Rathore claimed that several bridges on the Yamunotri highway require urgent repair work. “We face problems while travelling and there is always fear while crossing these bridges, especially during bad weather. The government should take action before the monsoon begins,” he said.
Similar concerns have also been raised on the Gangotri route, where another bridge is currently functioning through temporary arrangements. Residents and drivers fear that continuous rainfall and strong water flow during the monsoon could pose a serious threat to such structures.
The officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) National Highways division said that the situation will be reviewed soon, particularly ahead of the monsoon season.
