The Centre informed the Supreme Court on Monday that nearly 75% of the Chardham Project in Uttarakhand, a key strategic road development initiative, has been completed. The 900-kilometre-long project is designed to provide all-weather connectivity to the four revered shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, while also extending towards the India-China border, bolstering national security.
Centre’s update to supreme court
Appearing before a bench of Justices C.T. Ravikumar and Ujjal Bhuyan, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati provided the progress update on the Chardham Project. Bhati informed the court that the oversight committee, which was established by the Supreme Court to monitor the project, had submitted two detailed reports on its progress. One of these reports was filed in April 2024, while the other was submitted on August 27, 2024.
“Almost 75% of the awarded work is complete,” Bhati stated, while referring to the August 2024 report submitted by the committee. The bench responded by noting that the committee’s findings would be officially recorded and considered by the court.
The Chardham project’s importance
The Chardham Project, announced in December 2016, is a massive infrastructure development initiative aimed at improving road connectivity in Uttarakhand, particularly to the four sacred pilgrimage sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. These roads, often prone to landslides and weather-related damage, are crucial not only for pilgrims but also for local residents, businesses, and the military, given their proximity to the India-China border.
Once completed, the project will create all-weather roads with double-lane highways, ensuring smoother, faster, and safer traffic movement through the hilly terrains of Uttarakhand. The development is also expected to significantly reduce travel time and improve emergency response capabilities in the region, which has historically faced challenges due to its remote location and difficult terrain.
Apex court’s oversight and environmental concerns
In December 2021, the Supreme Court gave the green light for the double-lane widening of the Chardham Highway Project but imposed strict conditions to address environmental concerns. The court set up an oversight committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice A.K. Sikri to monitor the environmental impact and progress of the project.
The project had faced criticism from environmental activists and organizations concerned about the potential adverse effects on the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. Deforestation, landslides, and the impact on biodiversity were among the primary concerns raised by opponents of the project.
To ensure that these concerns were adequately addressed, the oversight committee was tasked with monitoring the project and submitting periodic reports. The committee was given complete support from the ministries of defence, road transport, and environment, as well as the Uttarakhand Government and local district magistrates.
Furthermore, the committee was instructed to include representatives from the National Environmental Research Institute and the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun to provide expert input on environmental issues. However, the Supreme Court made it clear that the committee would not be conducting a fresh environmental assessment, limiting its role to oversight and compliance.
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Strategic importance of the project
In addition to facilitating pilgrimage tourism, the Chardham Project has strategic significance due to its proximity to the India-China border. The improved road network will enhance the mobility of troops and military equipment in the region, providing a strategic advantage in the event of any conflict or military standoff along the border.
The project is seen as part of India’s broader infrastructure push in border regions to counter China’s aggressive infrastructure development on its side of the border. By improving connectivity in these remote areas, the Indian government hopes to ensure better access for both military and civilian purposes.
With nearly 75% of the Chardham Project completed, the initiative is moving closer to achieving its goal of providing all-weather connectivity to Uttarakhand’s sacred sites while improving strategic access to the India-China border. The Supreme Court’s oversight committee, established to address environmental concerns, continues to monitor the progress, with its reports being taken into consideration by the court.
As the project nears completion, it is expected to bring significant benefits in terms of both security and development, improving the lives of the region’s residents and providing a safer and more efficient route for the millions of pilgrims who visit Uttarakhand’s holy shrines each year.
