Lok Sabha Question No. 43 (STARRED), answered on 2021-02-04
Subject: Char Dham Project
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Parvesh Sahib Singh

be pleased to state :

- (a) the  details  of  road  construction  work  completed  under  Char Dham Project till 31 Decemeber, 2020;
- (b) the measures taken to protect eco-sensitive zones of the State of Uttarakhand; and
- ( c ) whether  the  project  will  be  completed  before  the  Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2021 and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

( SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI )

- ( a ) to ( c ) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House

.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 43 ANSWERED ON 4 TH

FEBRUARY, 2021

## CHAR DHAM PROJECT

* 43 . SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH VERMA:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS ( a ) TO ( c ) OF LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  43  FOR  ANSWER  ON  04 . 02 . 2021 ASKED BY SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH VERMA REGARDING CHAR DHAM PROJECT

- (a) Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRT&H) have taken up improvement  and  widening  of  825  km  (existing  889  km)  of National Highways (NHs) for providing improved and safer road connectivity from Rishikesh to Janki Chati (Yamunotri), Gangotri, Gaurikund (Kedarnath) and Mana (Badrinath) including Tanakpur to Pithoragarh section of Kailash- Mansarovar route in the State of  Uttarakhand  at  a  total  cost  of  Rs.  12072  crores  under 53 separate projects. Out of these, 40 projects amounting to Rs . 9474 crore ( including cost of pre -construction activities amounting to Rs . 491 crore ) for development of 671 km NHs have already been sanctioned and work contracts in 38 projects amounting to Rs. 8378 crore for development of 646 km NHs have been awarded. 9 projects  amounting  to  Rs.  1025  crore have  been  completed. Construction of about 450km of road have been achieved as on 31 December, 2020.
- (b) The NH from Uttarkashi to Gangotri (94km) passes through the Bhagirathi  Eco -Sensitive Zone  (BESZ).  No  work  has  been sanctioned on this section till date. Development of this section will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines prescribed in Zonal Master Plan (ZMP) approved by MoEF&CC on 16.07.2020 and the final recommendation of the Supreme Court appointed High Powered Committee (HPC) on road width and environmental
- protection  measures  suggested  based  on  rapid  Environment Impact Assessment conducted by MoRTH.
- (c) No sir. The project for development of road connectivity to Char Dham  was  initially  targeted  for  completion  by  March,  2020. However, the schedule date of completion of the project has been delayed  mainly  due  to  litigation  in  the  Hon'ble  National  Green Tribunal  (NGT)  and  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  filed  by  the petitioner,  namely,  Citizens  for  Green  Doon.  Hon'ble  Supreme Court  vide  order  dated  08.08.2019  constituted  a  High  Power Committee (HPC) under the chairmanship of Prof. Ravi Chopra to look  into  the  environmental  and  other  issues  related  to  the projects for development of road connectivity to Char Dham. 13 projects could not be sanctioned pending decision on carriageway width among the members of the HPC. Recommendation  of  the  HPC  has  been  submitted  to  Hon'ble Supreme Court on 31.12.2020. The matter is still subjudice.

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