Kainchi Dham – Efforts have been intensified to ease traffic for devotees and tourists visiting the world-famous Kainchi Dham, with authorities aiming to make the bypass operational before June 15, 2026. While construction of the 74-metre-long bridge over the Shipra river is unlikely to be completed before the peak tourist season, the Public Works Department (PWD) has decided to provide temporary relief by constructing a Bailey bridge.
PWD Minister Satpal Maharaj reviewed the progress of the Kainchi Dham bypass project during his visit to Bhimtal on Monday. Chairing a review meeting at the Vikas Bhawan, the minister directed officials to complete the work within the stipulated time frame while maintaining construction quality.
“The journey of devotees and tourists coming to Kainchi Dham must be made simple, smooth and safe. This bypass is extremely important from the traffic management point of view,” Satpal Maharaj said. He added that the department has been instructed to expedite the remaining works so that the bypass can be opened before the annual fair.
The 18.2-kilometre-long bypass starts from Bhowali Sanatorium and passes through Ratighat to Padli. Construction work has been completed in two phases so far. In the second phase, hill cutting work over a stretch of 10.22 kilometres has already been completed, while bridge construction and other allied works are pending.
Officials said that if the Bailey bridge is completed before the tourist season begins, it will provide major relief to travellers heading towards hill destinations and help prevent prolonged traffic jams, which are common during peak periods.
During the visit, Minister Satpal Maharaj also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of five development schemes worth Rs 1,258.12 lakh. He interacted with local residents and assured them that infrastructure development and traffic management around Kainchi Dham remain a priority for the government.
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Kainchi Dham fair on June 15
Every year on June 15, a grand fair is organised at Kainchi Dham, marked by a massive bhandara. Around one to two lakh devotees visit the shrine on this occasion to seek blessings of Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj. June 15, 1964, was the day when the temple was consecrated and idols of Lord Hanuman and other deities were installed, as decided by Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj himself.
