Lok Sabha Question No. 854 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-07
Subject: Environment Impact Assessment on Char Dham Project
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: JAGDAMBIKA PAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.854

ANSWERED ON 7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON CHAR DHAM PROJECT

## 854. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether work has been started on the 'Char Dham' project in the State of Uttarakhand, if so, the detailed status thereof;
- (b) whether an Environment Impact Assessment was conducted for the said project and if so, the findings of such assessment;
- (c)  whether the said project will negatively impact the ecology of the region due to felling of trees, soil erosion, etc. and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to mitigate those negative impacts;
- (d) whether any person will be displaced or indirectly negatively affected by the said project; and
- (e)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  mitigate  those  negative impacts?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) Yes Madam. Char Dham National Highway (NH) connectivity program aims at improvement/development  of  889  km  length  of  NHs  leading  to  Yamunotri  Dham,  Gangotri  Dham, Kedarnath Dham, Badrinath Dham and part of route leading to Kailash Mansarovar yatra at total project cost for Rs. 11,700 crores. Rishikesh to Rudra Prayag (old NH-58), Rudra Prayag to Mana Village (old NH-58), Rishikesh to Dharasu bend (old NH-94), Dharasu bend to Gangotri (old NH-108), Dharasu bend to  Yamnotri  (old  NH-94),  Rudraprayag  to  Gaurikund  (old  NH-109)  and  Tanakpur  to  Pithoragarh  (old NH-125) are included in this  program.  Out  of  a  total  53  separate  and  independent  projects  under  this program, 37 projects in total length. of 633 Km has been sanctioned, which include 28 projects in total length  of  508  km  at  implementation  stage.  9  projects  are  at  tender  /award  stage.  Out  of  balance  16 projects, 5 nos projects lie on NH leading from Dharasu bend to Gangotri (in about 94 km length) which lies in Bhagirathi Eco Sensitive Zone and where change of land use is not permitted and thus no work has been  taken  up  so  far  for  want  of  finalization  of  master  plan  of  Bhagirathi  Eco  Sensitive  Zone.)  The original  target  date  of  completion  of  the  program  was  March  2020.  However,  the  program  has  been

delayed due to litigation related to forest and environment clearance in various Hon'ble courts and the exact date of completion of the program depends upon final outcome of the same.

(b) to (e)         In order to mitigate impact of project on environment, mitigative measures such as slope protection,  adequate  drainage  works,  compensatory  afforestation,  proper  muck  disposal  at  earmarked muck disposal sites etc are being undertaken in the projects under Chardham programe.  Land Acquisition for the project is being done in accordance with provisions of National Highways Act, 1956 and relevant schedules  of  Right  to  Fair  Compensation  and  Transparency  in  Land  Acquisition,  Rehabilitation  and Resettlement Act, 2013 and its subsequent amendments and compensation as per these Acts are being paid to land owner to mitigate negative impact.

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