Centre clears Rs 1.1k crore 4-lane Rishikesh bypass to ease Char Dham, weekend traffic

Dehradun: In a relief for residents and tourists who routinely face long traffic snarls in Rishikesh during long weekends and Char Dham yatra, the Union ministry of road transport and highways has approved a four-lane bypass project for the town at a cost of Rs 1,105 crore. The ministry has granted technical, administrative and financial approval for the project, which will be built on NH-7 from Tinpani flyover at km 529.750 to Kharasote bridge at km 542.5. The proposed bypass, about 12.7km long, will pass through Bhattowala and Dhalwala villages and will be executed in EPC mode.Rishikesh sees heavy traffic through much of the year, with visitors arriving for yoga, river-based and adventure activities, and large numbers of pilgrims and tourists passing through the town on their way to Garhwal districts and the Char Dham shrines. The resulting congestion often delays journeys by hours, especially during peak travel periods.According to the ministry, the project was first estimated at Rs 1,151.2 crore, then revised to Rs 1,139.4 crore, before final approval was granted for Rs 1,105.8 crore. The bypass is to be completed within three years, and the approval makes clear that no cost or time overrun will be accepted. Tenders will be invited through the e-tendering process, and the work will be carried out under prescribed guidelines. The expenditure will be met under Govt of India's budget provision for the financial year 2025-26. The regional officer based in Dehradun has been designated as the drawing and disbursing officer for the project.Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the state was continuing to strengthen road connectivity. "Upon completion of the Rishikesh Bypass project, traffic pressure in the area will reduce, there will be relief from the problem of traffic jams, and along with local citizens, Char Dham Yatra and tourism activities will also get major convenience," he said. Calling it "an important step towards the overall development and better connectivity of Uttarakhand", Dhami said the project would also help improve movement in and around Rishikesh while supporting tourism and the local economy.
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