Dr. Shikha Mishra
New link between Kedarnath and Badrinath highways expected to ease congestion during Char Dham Yatra; CM also lauds library campaign that has garnered over 2,500 books
Rudraprayag: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday inspected a major bridge-and-tunnel project in Rudraprayag, built at a cost of approximately ₹156 crore under the Char Dham road project. Trial-based traffic movement began on the route on Monday, and the project is expected to be formally inaugurated soon.
The infrastructure project comprises a 200-metre bridge over the Alaknanda River and a 900.30-metre tunnel, along with approach roads, covering a total length of approximately 1.18 kilometres. It will directly connect the Kedarnath National Highway (NH-107) with the Badrinath National Highway (NH-07), improving connectivity between the two key pilgrimage routes.
Once regular traffic operations begin, pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath and Badrinath will be able to bypass Rudraprayag’s main market area. This is expected to reduce traffic pressure in the town, ease congestion during the Char Dham Yatra and improve convenience for both residents and visitors.
During the inspection, Dhami said making the Char Dham pilgrimage more convenient, safe and well-organised remained a priority for the state government. He added that improved road connectivity and modern infrastructure would benefit pilgrims while supporting local businesses, tourism and employment opportunities.
The Chief Minister also reviewed slope-protection and stabilisation works being undertaken in landslide-prone stretches along the Rudraprayag–Gaurikund National Highway. The measures are aimed at reducing landslide-related risks and strengthening the safety and reliability of the pilgrimage route.
CM Applauds ‘Donate a Book, Plant a Tree of Knowledge’ Campaign
Alongside the infrastructure review, Dhami visited Sangam Library in Rudraprayag, established under the district administration’s “Donate a Book, Plant a Tree of Knowledge” campaign. Launched at the initiative of District Magistrate Vishal Mishra, the programme seeks to promote reading habits among students, provide useful study material for competitive examinations and strengthen public libraries through community participation.
The library has received more than 2,500 books through the campaign, covering competitive examinations, general knowledge, literature and other subjects. The Chief Minister has also contributed 150 books to the initiative.
Praising the campaign, Dhami said books played a vital role in acquiring knowledge and shaping an individual’s personality. He noted that book-donation initiatives could be particularly valuable for students preparing for competitive examinations who might otherwise have limited access to study materials.
He added that community-supported efforts to enrich libraries could help foster a stronger culture of reading and learning among young people.
District Magistrate Vishal Mishra said the donated books were being made available to students and other readers, with particular benefits for young people preparing for competitive examinations. The administration aims to develop libraries into effective centres for learning and knowledge-sharing through public participation.
The visit was attended by Cabinet Minister Bharat Singh Chaudhary, representatives of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, local elected representatives, district officials and other public figures, including Director General of Information Banshidhar Tiwari and senior district administration officers.
