Skip to content

Slope Protection Works on National Highways in the State of Uttarakhand

Location

The proposed project is located along various stretches of the Chardham/Non chardham routes in Uttarakhand, covering National Highways and key approach roads leading to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. These routes pass through highly fragile Himalayan terrain characterized by steep slopes, deep valleys, landslide-prone zones, and intense rainfall during monsoon months.

Background and Problem Statement

The Chardham routes are of immense religious, cultural, and strategic importance, witnessing very high traffic volumes during the annual pilgrimage season. Due to the fragile geology of the Himalayan region, these corridors are frequently affected by landslides, slope failures, rockfall, and erosion, particularly during monsoon and extreme weather events. Such slope instabilities result in road blockages, traffic disruptions, accidents, and damage to highway assets, adversely affecting pilgrim safety and continuity of movement. Existing slope protection measures at several locations are either inadequate or have deteriorated over time, necessitating comprehensive and scientifically designed slope stabilization interventions.

Project Concept and Need

The project has been conceptualized to provide systematic and permanent slope protection measures along vulnerable stretches of the Chardham routes. The need for the project arises from the requirement to ensure safe, reliable, and all-weather connectivity or pilgrims, local residents, and strategic traffic. Strengthening of slopes and mitigation of landslide hazards are essential to improve resilience of highway infrastructure, reduce maintenance costs, and minimize disruptions during the pilgrimage season.

Key Components and Features

  • Identification of landslide-prone and vulnerable slope locations along Chardham routes.
  • Construction of retaining walls, breast walls, and toe walls.
  • Provision of slope stabilization measures such as rock bolting, shotcreting, soil nailing, and gabion structures.
  • Installation of proper surface and subsurface drainage systems.
  • Rockfall protection measures including wire mesh, catch fences, and barriers.
  • Bio-engineering and erosion control measures for long-term slope stability.
  • Continuous monitoring and safety signage at critical locations.

Beneficiaries and Coverage

The project will benefit:

  • Pilgrims visiting the Chardham shrines.
  • Local population residing along the highway corridors.
  • Commercial transport and logistics services.
  • Emergency response and disaster management agencies.
  • Strategic and defence-related traffic movement. The project covers multiple critical stretches across the Chardham highway network in Uttarakhand.

Expected Benefits and Outcomes

  • Enhanced safety for road users and pilgrims.
  • Reduction in landslide-related road closures and traffic disruptions.
  • Improved reliability and all-weather connectivity on Chardham routes.
  • Protection of highway assets and reduction in recurring maintenance costs.
  • Increased resilience of road infrastructure against extreme weather events.

Current Status of the Project

A comprehensive assessment of landslide-prone locations has been carried out across National Highways in the State of Uttarakhand, covering both Chardham and Non-Chardham routes, with the objective of improving road safety, ensuring all-weather connectivity, and mitigating disaster risks in hilly terrain.

Chardham Routes

On the Chardham corridors, a total of 343 landslide-prone locations has been identified on National Highways NH-58 (Rishikesh–Badrinath), NH-107 (Rudraprayag–Gaurikund), NH-34 (Rishikesh–Dharasu Bend–Gangotri), NH-134 (Dharasu Bend–Jankichatti), and NH-125 (Tanakpur–Pithoragarh). Out of these, 250 locations have been referred for preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), of which 213 DPRs have been prepared by THDCIL. Cost estimates amounting to ₹1,953.62 crore have been received from the State PWD for these locations. Following scrutiny, 203 proposals with an estimated cost of ₹2,557.35 crore have been sanctioned. Subsequently, 192 works costing ₹2,327.17 crore have been awarded. At present, 47 works are ongoing, while 83 locations have been completed, reflecting significant progress in landslide mitigation on the Chardham network.

Non-Chardham Routes

For Non-Chardham National Highways, including NH-107A (Kund to Chamoli), NH-107B (Joshimath–Malari), NH-109 (Haldwani to Almora Road), NH-707A (Mussoorie–Bhatta Road), NH-119K (Kotdwar–Dugadda), and NH-507 (Tyuni–Chakrata–Yamunotri), 57 landslide locations have been identified. Out of these, 31 locations have DPRs prepared, and 9 estimates amounting to ₹83.16 crore have been received. After examination, 9 proposals with a sanctioned cost of ₹138.13 crore have been approved, and 8 works costing ₹130.49 crore have been awarded. These works are at initial stages, with no locations completed so far.

Implementation Plan / Next Steps

Overall, across both Chardham and Non-Chardham routes, a total of 400 landslide-prone locations has been identified on National Highways in Uttarakhand. 281 DPRs have been prepared, and estimates amounting to ₹2,036.78 crore have been received. 212 proposals with a sanctioned cost of ₹2,695.48 crore have been approved, of which 200 works costing ₹2,457.66 crore have been awarded. Currently, 47 works are under execution, and 83 locations have been successfully completed. The ongoing and completed slope protection and landslide mitigation works are expected to substantially enhance safety, reliability, and resilience of the National Highway network in Uttarakhand, particularly along critical pilgrimage and strategic corridors

Conclusion

The proposed Slope Protection Works on the Chardham routes are a critical safety and resilience initiative for Uttarakhand. The project will significantly enhance road safety for pilgrims and local residents, ensure uninterrupted connectivity during adverse weather conditions, and protect valuable highway assets in the fragile Himalayan terrain. Overall, the project will support safe pilgrimage movement, regional development, and strategic connectivity in the state.