What is it?
It is an initiative of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to improve connectivity for Char-Dham (Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri & Gangotri) in Uttarakhand.
Key points about the programme
The projects under Char Dham Programme include widening of existing roads along with adequate/sufficient slope protection by way of erection of retaining walls and breast walls and by deploying drapery system, netting, anchoring, reinforced wall etc
The projects also include mitigation measures/ stabilisation of chronic landslide & sinking spots/zones as a standalone project or part of road widening projects to avoid landslide and safety of road users.
Bio-engineering methods like hydroseeding are being used for vegetative growth on fragile slopes for their stability.
The Char Dham Programme was initially targeted for completion by March 2020. However, the scheduled date of completion of the programme has been delayed mainly due to litigation in the Hon’ble NGT and further Civil Appeal by the petitioner in the Hon’ble Supreme Court.
Implementation:
The works under Char Dham Pariyojna are being implemented on Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode of contract.
These projects are being implemented by 3 executing agencies of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, viz;
Uttarakhand State PWD
Border Road Organization (BRO) and
National Highway & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
For each project, a Supervision Consultant called Authority’s Engineer comprising a team of Key Experts has been appointed for the day-to-day supervision and monitoring of the construction works, which includes monitoring of quality control of the works as required under the contract agreement.
