Rudraprayag, October 26
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday reviewed the bridge and tunnel project constructed under the Chardham Road Project in Rudraprayag. Taking stock of the project, he said that it would be formally inaugurated soon. The Chief Minister also visited the Sangam Library established under the district administration’s “Donate a Book, Grow a Tree of Knowledge” campaign.
Under the Chardham Road Project, a 200-metre-long bridge over the Alaknanda River and a 900.30-metre-long tunnel have been constructed in Rudraprayag at a cost of approximately ₹156 crore. Including the bridge, tunnel and connecting roads, the total length of the project is around 1.18 kilometres. This important project will directly connect the Kedarnath National Highway (NH-107) with the Badrinath National Highway (NH-07).
Traffic movement on the bridge-tunnel route commenced on a trial basis from Monday. The Chief Minister said the project would soon be formally inaugurated. Once regular traffic begins, pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham will no longer need to pass through the Rudraprayag market area. This will reduce traffic pressure in the town during the Chardham Yatra and provide relief from congestion for both local residents and pilgrims.
The Chief Minister said that making the Chardham Yatra more convenient, safe and well-organised remains a priority for the state government. Improved road connectivity and modern infrastructure will not only enhance facilities for pilgrims but also boost local trade, tourism and employment opportunities.
During the visit, the Chief Minister also reviewed slope protection and stabilization works being carried out in landslide-prone areas along the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund National Highway. These works are aimed at reducing landslide risks and making the pilgrimage route safer and more resilient.
The Chief Minister appreciated the district administration’s “Donate a Book, Grow a Tree of Knowledge” campaign while visiting the Sangam Library. Initiated by District Magistrate Vishal Mishra, the campaign seeks to encourage reading habits among students, provide useful books for competitive examination preparation and strengthen library resources.
The initiative has received enthusiastic support from public representatives, officials and citizens. More than 2,500 books have already been donated to the Sangam Library, including books on competitive examinations, general knowledge, literature and various other subjects. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has also contributed 150 books to the campaign.
The Chief Minister said that books are an important medium for acquiring knowledge and shaping one’s personality. Campaigns such as book donation drives are especially beneficial for students preparing for competitive examinations who require access to study material. He added that this collective effort to enrich libraries would encourage a culture of reading and learning among the youth.
District Magistrate Vishal Mishra said that books received through the campaign are being made available to students and readers. The initiative is proving particularly beneficial for young people preparing for competitive examinations. He added that efforts are being made to develop libraries into effective centres of learning and knowledge enhancement through public participation.