Several proposals to declare key roads as National Highways (NH) in Uttarakhand remain pending at the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Additionally, the release of funds under the Central Road Fund (CRF) for infrastructure development has been delayed for years, causing concern for state authorities.
Six Road Proposals Await Final Approval
Currently, Uttarakhand has 21 National Highways spanning a total length of 2,954 kilometers. The state government had submitted proposals to declare 16 additional roads as National Highways, with six already receiving in-principle approval. These roads include:
- Khairna to Ranikhet
- Buakhal to Devprayag
- Devprayag to Gaja to Khadi
- Pandukhal to Nagchulakhal to Baijro
- Bihari Garh to Raushanabad
- Laxman Jhula to Dugadda to Nainidanda to Mohan to Ranikhet
Despite the initial approval, final clearances are still awaited. Further, the government has proposed key routes like the Khairna-Ranikhet-Baijro road and the Kathgodam-Lohaghat-Pancheswar road near the Nepal border for NH status.
Stalled Bypass and Greenfield Four-Lane Projects
The proposed four-lane bypass from Rudrapur to Kathgodam, which includes a tunnel near the CRPF camp to Rani Bagh, remains in limbo. The state has now decided to resubmit the proposal for consideration.
Similarly, the 42-kilometer greenfield four-lane road project connecting New Tehri to Jolly Grant Airport, including a 17-kilometer-long tunnel, is on hold with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The state government is actively pursuing its revival.
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CRF Fund Delays Hampering Progress
Infrastructure projects under the Central Road Fund (CRF) have also faced financial hurdles. Out of the approved funds:
- ₹300 crore remains pending, with only ₹50 crore released so far.
- 12 new proposals worth ₹400 crore await approval from the central government.
Dr. Pankaj Pandey, Secretary of the Public Works Department, expressed hope for the expedited release of funds and approvals. He confirmed that the state has resubmitted all relevant proposals to the central government for reconsideration.
