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Construction of Srinagar bypass from Panch- Pepal to Sweet Bridge on NH-07 (Old 58) (Chainage 330.100 to 337.600).

Location

The project is located in Khirshu Development Block, Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand, near Srinagar town along National Highway 07 (Old NH 58). It falls under the Pauri Legislative Assembly and Pauri Garhwal Lok Sabha constituencies.

Background and Problem Statement

NH-309A is an important feeder corridor in the Kumaon region, providing connectivity to remote, border, and strategically significant areas of Uttarakhand. The existing carriageway is substandard in terms of width, geometric design, and pavement condition, leading to traffic bottlenecks, safety hazards, and operational inefficiencies. The corridor accommodates mixed traffic, including passenger vehicles, freight carriers, public transport, and defence logistics movement.

Inadequate carriageway width, sharp curves, deficient camber, poor drainage, and deteriorated pavement have adversely impacted travel time, safety, and reliability of connectivity. The highway also serves as a crucial access route to religious and tourist destinations, as well as border areas, thereby necessitating urgent rehabilitation and upgradation in line with MoRTH and IRC standards.

Project Concept and Need

NH-07 connects the National Capital Region with the important pilgrimage centres of Shree Kedarnath, Shree Badrinath, and Shree Hemkund Sahib Ji, and further extends up to Mana Pass, which holds strategic importance due to its proximity to the Indo-China border. Shree Kedarnath, Shree Badrinath, and Shree Hemkund Sahib Ji are major religious and tourist destinations attracting large numbers of pilgrims throughout the year.

The project stretch under consideration, having a length of approximately 7.50 km, passes through densely built-up areas of Srinagar and Srikot towns. Both sides of the highway are characterized by extensive commercial and residential developments. During the peak seasons of the Char Dham Yatra and Shree Hemkund Sahib Ji Yatra, severe traffic congestion is observed at these locations, including Kriti Nagar, leading to frequent and prolonged traffic jams.

The absence of service roads along this stretch results in significant conflict between slow-moving local traffic and fast-moving highway traffic, as both utilize the same carriageway. This situation adversely affects road safety, traffic efficiency, and travel time.

Considering the above factors, the construction of a bypass for Srinagar town is essential. The proposed bypass will significantly enhance the safety of local residents, reduce congestion within the town limits, and ensure smoother and faster movement of through traffic on NH-07. This will ultimately lead to a substantial reduction in travel time for highway users and improve overall corridor efficiency. Due to the involvement of extensive resettlement and rehabilitation issues, along with the adverse socio-economic impacts associated with the widening and improvement of the existing road, alternative alignment options were explored to provide a bypass for Srinagar and Srikot towns.

Key Components and Features

Different alignment options were explored to bypass the Srinagar and Srikot town. All these options are discussed as below.

  • Option 1 - Along the bank of river – Crossing the river 4 times - Total Length = 7.801 km
  • Option 2 - Along the bank of river – Not Crossing the river - Total Length = 8.020 km
  • Option 3 - With tunnel – Length of tunnel = 12.263 km - Total Length = 12.633 km
  • Option 4 - With tunnel – Length of tunnel = 9.85 km - Total Length = 15.420 km
  • Option 5 - With tunnel to bypass Kirtinagar and then follows Option-2 – Total Length = 10.328 Km
  • Option 6 - Towards hill side (above habitation) of Srinagar town - Total Length = 11.317
  • Option 7 - Other bank of river - ends at Sweet Bridge - Total Length = 13.477 km

Beneficiaries and Coverage

  • Pilgrims and Tourists traveling to Shree Kedarnath, Shree Badrinath, Shree Hemkund Sahib Ji, and Mana Pass through NH-07.
  • Local residents of Srinagar, Srikot, and nearby settlements, who will benefit from improved safety, reduced congestion, and better urban mobility.
  • Through traffic and commercial vehicles not destined for Srinagar town, benefiting from reduced travel time and lower vehicle operating costs.
  • Defence and strategic agencies, due to improved and reliable all-weather connectivity to areas near the Indo-China border.
  • Emergency and essential service vehicles, such as ambulances, disaster response, and supply vehicles, through improved traffic flow.

The project comprises a bypass of approximately 7.50 km, circumventing the congested urban stretches of Srinagar and Srikot towns. It forms an integral part of NH-07, ensuring a continuous and efficient transport corridor between the National Capital Region, major pilgrimage destinations, and strategically important border areas. The project influence area includes Srinagar, Srikot, and the surrounding rural settlements.

Expected Benefits and Outcomes

  • Results in significant reduction in travel time and vehicle operating costs for tourists and local traffic not destined for Srinagar town.
  • Decongestion of Srinagar town and enhancement of road safety.
  • The proposed bypass will significantly reduce resettlement and rehabilitation issues.
  • Ensures reliable all-weather connectivity in difficult hilly terrain, including areas along the Indo-China border.

Current Status of the Project

At present, the project is at the alignment finalization stage, and the proposed alignment has been submitted to the Regional Office of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), where it is under scrutiny. A new Project Management Consultancy (PMC) tender for the project was invited for feasibility and DPR Preparation.

Upon approval of the alignment, land acquisition proceedings and forest clearance proposals will be initiated. Simultaneously, preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be undertaken. Following approval of the DPR by the competent authority, tenders will be invited, leading to award of work and subsequent commencement of construction.

Conclusion

The proposed Srinagar–Srikot bypass on NH-07 is essential to decongest urban areas, improve road safety, and minimize resettlement and rehabilitation impacts. The project will ensure reliable all-weather connectivity to major pilgrimage destinations and strategically important border areas, while significantly reducing travel time and vehicle operating costs.

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