Chardham Road Project: SC Allows Double Lane Roads In View Of Security Concerns

The Supreme Court today allowed expansion of the existing roads under the Chardham road project to double lane width in view of security concerns. It has also set up an oversight committee headed by Justice AK Sikri.

The 900-km Chardham highway project will provide all-weather connectivity to four holy towns in Uttarakhand -- Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.

The apex court was hearing the Centre's plea seeking modification of the September 8, 2020 order, which had asked the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to follow the 2018 circular stipulating carriageway width of 5.5 metre on the Chardham highway project, which goes up to the China border.

The Ministry of Defence has sought a modification of the order and directions that the national highways from Rishikesh to Mana, from Rishikesh to Gangotri, and from Tanakpur to Pithoragarh may be developed to two-lane configuration.