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Chapter 5: Modern Urban Roads

5.1 The Challenge of Urban Congestion

Rapid urbanization in key cities like Dehradun, Haridwar, and Haldwani has led to severe traffic congestion, a problem compounded by the seasonal influx of tourists and pilgrims. The existing at-grade road infrastructure in these urban centers is increasingly unable to cope with peak hour traffic, resulting in bottlenecks, increased travel times, and a decline in the quality of urban life.

To address this, the Public Works Department has shifted its strategic focus from simply widening existing roads—a solution often constrained by land acquisition challenges—to implementing "grade separation" solutions. This chapter outlines the department's strategy for decongesting major cities through a network of flyovers, elevated corridors, bypasses, and ring roads.

5.2 Grade Separation: Flyovers and Elevated Corridors

5.2.1 Flyovers

To resolve chronic traffic jams at major intersections, the department has successfully constructed six major flyovers in Dehradun, including at ISBT, Ballupur, and Balliwala. This success has paved the way for more ambitious grade-separated projects.

5.2.2 Elevated Corridors: A Vision for Dehradun

The most ambitious urban intervention in the state's history is the proposed development of elevated corridors along the Rispana and Bindal riverbeds in Dehradun. This innovative solution utilizes the natural river courses to create high-speed arterial roads, minimizing the need for disruptive and costly land acquisition in the densely populated city.

  • Bindal Corridor:
    • Alignment: Near Kargi Chowk (Haridwar Bypass) to Rajpur Road (near Sai Mandir).
    • Length: 14.8 km.
    • Cost: ₹3,743 Crore.
    • Function: To create a high-speed link for traffic heading to Mussoorie from Delhi/Haridwar, bypassing the congested city core.
  • Rispana Corridor:
    • Alignment: Rispana Bridge (Vidhan Sabha) to Nagal Bridge (Sahastradhara Road).
    • Length: 10.946 km.
    • Cost: ₹2,509 Crore.
    • Function: To connect the eastern flank of the city and the IT Park zone.

Current Status: Feasibility and hydrological studies for the combined ~₹6,200 Crore project have been completed, and land acquisition surveys are being expedited.

5.3 Bypasses and Ring Roads: Diverting Through Traffic

Bypasses and ring roads are a critical solution for managing traffic pressure on the main roads of cities and towns by diverting heavy and through traffic away from urban cores.

5.3.1 City Bypasses

Over the last 25 years, the PWD has constructed numerous bypasses across the state, including at Nainital, Rudraprayag, Khatima, and Kashipur. Construction is currently in progress for several others, including the Kainchi Dham Bypass and the Champawat Bypass.

5.3.2 Ring Roads

To provide a long-term solution for urban decongestion, the department is prioritizing the development of ring roads around major urban centers.

  • Tehri Ring Road: As detailed in Chapter 2, this 161.87 km road is a strategic project to unlock the tourism potential of Tehri Lake.
  • Haridwar Ring Road: A 17.30 km ring road is planned to decongest Haridwar city, especially during the Kumbh and Kanwar Yatra periods. Forest clearance proposals are currently under process.
  • Haldwani Ring Road: A comparative study of two alignments for an 11 km ring road is underway to determine the most cost-effective solution.
  • Dehradun Ring Road: An outer ring road (Asharodi – ISBT – Mohkampur) is planned to create a circumferential route that allows inter-district heavy traffic to bypass the city center entirely.

5.4 Tunnels and Viaducts for Congestion Relief

In addition to bypasses, eco-friendly tunnels and viaducts are being constructed to bypass difficult terrain and congested urban clusters.

  • Completed: The Dat Kali Tunnel in Dehradun and the Chamba Tunnel in Tehri have already proven their effectiveness in improving traffic flow.
  • In Progress: The Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi is currently under construction.
  • Proposed: Tunnels are proposed for Pauri, Sonprayag-Chaumasi (Chamoli) to ease entry in towns.

Annexure: Priority Projects

  • Widening of road from Pathri Bagh Chowk to Bhandari Bagh (ROB), Dehradun: Upgrading 0.8 km stretch to handle anticipated traffic surge after the commissioning of Bhandari Bagh ROB. Not Specified. Vital for preparing the corridor for its future role as a main thoroughfare. View Details.
  • Widening of road from Amber Palace Chowk to Prince Chowk, Dehradun: Upgrading 0.725 km road to uniform width to proactively support increased traffic from Bhandari Bagh ROB. Not Specified. Systematically addresses traffic congestion and safety hazards on a busy urban route. View Details.
  • Widening of road from Lal Pul to Kargi Chowk, Dehradun: Redeveloping 2.625 km road into a high-capacity corridor to manage traffic dispersal from the new ROB. Not Specified. Essential to efficiently manage significant traffic volume expected from the new ROB. View Details.
  • Two-Lane Widening of Sabhawala-Sahaspur Motor Road, Dehradun: Upgrading 3.2 km stretch to standard two-lane to improve regional connectivity and support traffic diverting from NH. Not Specified. Enhances traffic capacity and safety while providing a more reliable link. View Details.
  • Widening of Shaheed Gajendra Singh Bisht Marg (SH-80), Dehradun: Widening 1.3 km two-lane bottleneck into four lanes to eliminate a major urban congestion point. Not Specified. Eliminates a critical missing link in a larger four-laning project. View Details.
  • 4-Lane Railway Over Bridge at Km 58 of SH-13, Udham Singh Nagar: Eliminating a level crossing at Bajpur to ensure grade-separated movement and save time for commuters. Est. Cost: ₹76.27 Cr. Essential for safe, fast, and efficient transportation on a high-traffic corridor. View Details.

  • Improvement and Strengthening of Bypass Motor Road of NH-107A, Chamoli: Decongesting Gopeshwar town by diverting through-traffic from NH-107A to a 20 km bypass route. Not Specified. Vital for improving traffic flow, safety, and overall urban mobility in Gopeshwar. View Details.

  • Lohaghat Bypass with Tunnel, Champawat: Construction of 5.70 km bypass including tunnel on NH-09. Not Specified. Decongests Lohaghat town and improves efficiency of the Indo-Nepal border route. View Details.

  • Pithoragarh Bypass with Tunnel, Pithoragarh: Construction of 9.775 km bypass including tunnel on NH-09. Not Specified. Critical for decongesting the strategic border town and facilitating defense movement. View Details.

  • Srinagar Bypass, Pauri Garhwal: Construction of bypass on NH-07 to divert Char Dham traffic. Not Specified. Resolves chronic congestion in Srinagar town during peak pilgrimage season. View Details.

  • Sonprayag-Kalimath Tunnel, Rudraprayag: Construction of 2-lane tunnel to reduce distance between Kedarnath route and Kalimath. Not Specified. Provides all-weather connectivity and decongests Sonprayag area. View Details.

  • Rishikesh Bypass 4-Laning, Dehradun: 4-laning of 12.67 km bypass including elevated corridor. Est. Cost: ₹1,141.61 Cr. Critical for decongesting Rishikesh city and improving Char Dham connectivity. View Details.

  • Pauri Town Bypass Tunnel, Pauri Garhwal: Construction of 2 km twin-tube tunnel to bypass Pauri town. Est. Cost: ₹662.83 Cr. Reduces travel time and avoids demolition of structures in the district headquarters. View Details.

  • Four Lane Elevated Road on SH-85 (Rispna to Araghar), Dehradun: 4-lane elevated road to provide signal-free movement along the Dharampur-Araghar corridor. Est. Cost: ₹183.97 Cr. Addresses chronic congestion at major junctions and improves urban mobility efficiency. View Details.
  • Access-Controlled Corridor from Lachhiwala to Kulhan, Dehradun: 24.3 km 4-lane access-controlled corridor along Song River bank. Est. Cost: ₹1,214.84 Cr. Strategic mobility spine to divert through-traffic away from city roads and connect the Raipur Administrative City. View Details.
  • Widening of Road from Garhi Cantt Chowk to Army Podhshala, Dehradun: Widening and strengthening of 2.7 km stretch from intermediate/single lane to 2-lane. Est. Cost: ₹12.91 Cr. Essential for regulating and decongesting traffic for commuters and tourists proceeding towards Mussoorie. View Details.
  • Widening of Riliance Petrol Pump to COER college Road, Haridwar: 4-laning of 13.8 km old NH-58 stretch. Est. Cost: ₹70.00 Cr. Critical alternative route to decongest Haridwar city during mega-events like Kumbh and Kanwar Melas. View Details.
  • Four-laning of NH-334A (Purkaji-Laksar-Haridwar), Haridwar: 46.5 km capacity augmentation to 4-lane configuration. Est. Cost: Not Specified. Decongests traffic for pilgrims and industrial logistics between Purkaji and Haridwar. View Details.
  • 4-Laning of Haridwar Bypass (NH-58 to NH-74), Haridwar: 15.1 km greenfield bypass to divert through-traffic away from Haridwar’s urban core. Est. Cost: Not Specified. Strategic solution for managing pilgrimage surges. View Details.
  • 4-Lane Access Controlled Dehradun Bypass (Jhajhra to Asharori), Dehradun: 12 km greenfield bypass on NH-307. Est. Cost: Not Specified. Critical for diverting non-destined traffic from Dehradun city center. View Details.
  • Four-Laning of Paonta Sahib-Mednipur Section (NH-07), Dehradun: 25 km greenfield bypass alignment to decongest towns like Herbertpur and Sahaspur. Est. Cost: Not Specified. Improves interstate mobility. View Details.
  • Four/Six Laning of Bhaniyawala-Jollygrant-Rishikesh (NH-07), Dehradun: 19.78 km capacity augmentation including dedicated wildlife underpasses. Est. Cost: ₹742.43 Cr. Decongests the airport access corridor and Rishikesh city. View Details.
  • NHAI Bypass Projects (Kotdwar, Rudrapur, Kashipur, Khatima), Multiple: Construction of strategic bypasses to decongest major urban and industrial centers. Est. Cost: Not Specified. Improves regional logistics efficiency. View Details.
  • Alternate Dehradun-Mussoorie Corridor (Sudhowala to Mussoorie), Dehradun: 40.2 km corridor with twin tunnels and elevated sections. Est. Cost: Not Specified. Designed to provide high-speed alternate connectivity and decongest Dehradun city. View Details%20to%20Mussoorie.md).
  • Construction of Joshimath Bypass (NH-07), Chamoli: 6.35 km bypass to divert Char Dham through-traffic away from Joshimath town. Est. Cost: Not Specified. Enhances safety and urban mobility in the gateway to Badrinath. View Details.
  • Widening of road from GABA Check to DD Chowk (Kashipur Bypass), Udham Singh Nagar: Widening 1.28 km urban stretch in Rudrapur city to 3-lane with paved shoulders. Est. Cost: ₹12.41 Cr. Vital for decongesting city traffic and improving connectivity to the bypass. View Details.
  • 4-Lane Shyampur–Gumaniwala Bypass with ROB, Dehradun/Haridwar: 1.3 km bypass including a Railway Over Bridge to eliminate frequent traffic interruptions. Est. Cost: Not Specified. Essential for uninterrupted connectivity across the railway line. View Details.
  • Construction of 4-Lane Highway Herbertpur to Kalsi on NH-507, Dehradun: 16.67 km 4-lane divided highway with elevated flyovers to decongest the Yamuna Valley corridor. Est. Cost: Not Specified. Essential for tourism and regional movement towards Yamunotri. View Details.
  • Elevated Road on Mohakampur-Jogiwala-Rispana Stretch, Dehradun: 1.3 km 4-lane elevated road and rotary at Vidhansabha Chowk to decongest one of Dehradun's busiest corridors. Est. Cost: Not Specified. Strategic intervention for Dehradun's growing transportation demands. View Details.
  • 4 Lane Elevated Corridor Asharori to Mohkampur (NH-07), Dehradun: 11.44 km 4-lane elevated corridor to decongest Dehradun's main entry/exit points. Est. Cost: ₹1303.24 Cr. Significantly enhances corridor capacity, safety, and operational efficiency. View Details.
  • Widening of Gandhi Road (Sahranpur Chowk to Tehsil Chowk), Dehradun: Widening 1.56 km of SH-1 to 4-lane to decongest the Dehradun Railway Station area. Est. Cost: Not Specified. Essential for smooth intercity traffic and pilgrim movement towards Mussoorie. View Details.
  • Widening of Dehradun-Mussoorie Alternative Road (SH-79), Dehradun: Widening of 24 km single-lane stretch to intermediate lane via Kimadi. Est. Cost: ₹14.50 Cr. Provides an alternative, decongested route to Mussoorie and Yamunotri. View Details.
  • Construction of ROB on Mata Mandir Road, Dehradun: 2-lane Railway Over Bridge to eliminate a major traffic bottleneck at Level Crossing No. 41-B/2E. Est. Cost: Not Specified. Ensures smooth and safe urban mobility in a densely populated zone. View Details.
  • Champawat Bypass, Champawat: Construction of 7.75 km bypass on NH-09 to divert traffic away from congested Champawat town. Est. Cost: ₹220.88 Cr. View Details.
  • Ramnagar Bypass, Nainital: New 4-lane Greenfield bypass to decongest Ramnagar and provide a high-capacity alternative alignment. Est. Cost: Not Specified. View Details.
  • Haridwar Bypass (Section-II), Haridwar: High-capacity bypass with an iconic bridge over the Ganga to decongest the pilgrimage city. Est. Cost: Not Specified. View Details.
  • Haldwani Ring Road, Nainital: 4/6 lane ring road to bypass Haldwani and Kathgodam, decongesting urban roads and improving regional connectivity to Kumaon hills. Est. Cost: Not Specified. View Details.
  • Tikoniya-Stadium Elevated Road (TWIN CITY), Nainital: 3-lane elevated corridor from Tikoniya junction to International Stadium to decongest Haldwani and improve Golapar connectivity. Est. Cost: Not Specified. View Details.
  • 4-Lane Railway Over Bridges at km 14.900, 17.025 and 23.750 of SH-05, Udham Singh Nagar: Construction of three 4-lane ROBs in lieu of level crossings to eliminate traffic conflicts and ensure safe, grade-separated urban movement. Est. Cost: ₹262.03 Cr. View Details.