Road reconstruction projects across Uttarakhand have stalled as financial approval for the second phase has not been granted. Roads longer than five kilometers are left in disrepair, leaving hundreds of stretches unfinished. According to Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, Rajesh Sharma, the department has limited funds, which has led to restrictions on second-phase approvals.
Many roads already damaged by disasters remain in poor condition. Several stretches are blocked with debris, while some areas have suffered landslides. During monsoon, potholes have also caused frequent accidents. Due to the financial ceiling, blacktopping and reconstruction of roads longer than five kilometers remain pending.
Salt MLA Mahesh Jina expressed concern, stating that hundreds of road projects are stuck. He argued that partial reconstruction is ineffective, as repairing only the first five kilometers leaves the remaining stretch deteriorated. He emphasized that road works should be completed in one go for lasting results.
PWD officials explained that due to the state’s limited financial resources, proposals for roads exceeding five kilometers are not being considered for second-phase approval. Rajesh Sharma added that spending too much on a single road would halt work on others, which is why the government set a five-kilometer standard for reconstruction.
Meanwhile, the Dudhli-Mothrowala road, which connects several villages to Dehradun, remains in bad shape. Large potholes near Naunka and the firing range pose accident risks. Locals pointed out that despite being an alternate route from Rishikesh and Haridwar to Dehradun, the road has been neglected for years.
