Widening and Upgradation of existing Single/Intermediate Lane to 2-Lane with Paved Shoulder from Tyuni- chakrata- Mussoorie- tehri- Maletha on NH-707A in the State of Uttarakhand.
Location
The project corridor extends along NH-707A from Tyuni in Dehradun district through Chakrata, Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Chamba, and New Tehri, and terminates at Maletha in Tehri Garhwal district. The total length of the corridor from Tyuni to Maletha is approximately 311 km. The highway connects remote Jaunsar-Bawar region to Tehri Garhwal and provides linkage with NH-707, NH-34, and NH-58, forming an important alternate Char Dham route.
Background and Problem Statement
NH-707A is a strategically important hill highway catering to regional traffic, tourism, and pilgrimage movement. The existing road is predominantly single/intermediate lane with narrow carriageway width (generally 5.5 m to 7.0 m), sharp curves, steep gradients, inadequate drainage, and vulnerable landslide-prone stretches. The corridor experiences heavy rainfall and slope instability, leading to frequent road blockages and pavement distress.
Increasing vehicular traffic, particularly during tourist and pilgrimage seasons, has resulted in congestion, safety risks, and higher vehicle operating costs. The current geometric and structural standards are inadequate to meet projected traffic growth and ensure safe, reliable all-weather connectivity.
Project Concept and Need
The project envisages widening and strengthening of the entire Tyuni–Maletha stretch to 2-Lane with Paved Shoulder configuration as per IRC/MoRTH hill road standards.
- Tourists: Improved road conditions will promote tourism to destinations such as Dhanaulti, Mussoorie, and nearby hill stations, thereby supporting the local economy. As NH-707A serves as an alternate route for the Char Dham Yatra, the project will enable pilgrims to travel more easily, safely, and reliably, especially during peak pilgrimage seasons.
- Local Population/Residents: As per the 2011 Census, the total population of Tehri Garhwal district is 6,18,931. The widening and strengthening of NH-707A will directly or indirectly benefit the entire district population by improving overall connectivity, mobility, and road safety. In particular, residents of villages and towns such as Dhanaulti, Chamba, New Tehri, and surrounding rural areas will benefit from improved accessibility, reduced travel time, and enhanced road safety. Improved connectivity will also facilitate the efficient transportation of horticultural produce, fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural goods, thereby reducing transit losses and transportation costs and supporting the local economy.
- Commercial & Freight Traffic: Strengthened pavement and widened carriageway will support goods movement and commercial vehicles, improving logistics efficiency.
- Emergency & Essential Services: Better Road geometry and safety features will improve access for ambulances, fire services, disaster response, and defence movement.
Key Components and Features
The project includes widening of the carriageway to standard 2-lane with paved shoulders (generally 10 m formation width depending on terrain), pavement strengthening, geometric improvement of curves and gradients, construction of retaining walls, breast walls and toe walls, slope stabilization measures, landslide mitigation works, improvement of cross-drainage structures, culverts and bridges, and installation of road safety measures including crash barriers, parapets, signage, delineators and road markings as per IRC/MoRTH guidelines.
Project Details
The total corridor length from Tyuni to Maletha is approximately 311 km, which is proposed to be taken up in suitable construction packages for effective implementation.
- Existing Configuration: Predominantly single/intermediate lane with flexible pavement.
- Proposed Configuration: 2-Lane with Paved Shoulder throughout the corridor.
- Typical Proposed ROW: 12 m
- Major Hill Engineering Works: Extensive retaining walls, breast walls, slope protection, rock bolting, and landslide stabilization in vulnerable stretches.
- Drainage Improvements: Construction of lined side drains, catch water drains, cross-drainage structures, and rehabilitation of existing culverts to improve climate resilience.
- Bridges: Improvement/reconstruction of existing bridges and construction of new minor/major bridges wherever required. (For Bataghat–Maletha stretch: 06 Minor Bridges and 01 Major Bridge proposed.)
- Land Acquisition: Land acquisition proposals under progress in various stretches; Bataghat–Maletha section involves approximately 110 hectares.
- Forest Clearance: Forest land diversion proposals under process in applicable stretches; Compensatory Afforestation (CA) land identified in certain sections; FRA compliance under progress.
- DPR Status: DPR preparation and modifications under progress in Tyuni–Mussoorie stretches; Bataghat–Maletha section DPR aligned with approved alignment.
- Implementation Strategy: Corridor proposed to be executed in phases/packages considering terrain complexity and logistical challenges. The project aims to upgrade the entire corridor in a systematic and phased manner to ensure uniform standards and improved safety.
Beneficiaries and Coverage
The project will benefit residents of Tyuni, Chakrata, Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Chamba, New Tehri, Maletha and adjoining villages. It will enhance tourism, support Char Dham Yatra pilgrims through an alternate route, facilitate transportation of agricultural and horticultural produce, and improve access for emergency services, disaster management, and defence movement.
Current Status of the Project
The alignment from Tyuni to Maletha has been approved by the competent authority. DPR preparation/refinement is ongoing in different stretches. Land acquisition notifications have been initiated in certain sections, and forest clearance proposals including CA land identification are under process. Following approval of DPR and statutory clearances, the project will proceed to tendering and phased construction.
Conclusion
The widening of NH-707A from Tyuni to Maletha is a strategically important infrastructure initiative that will significantly enhance road safety, operational efficiency, and climate resilience in Uttarakhand’s hill region. The project will strengthen regional connectivity, support tourism and pilgrimage traffic, and contribute to balanced socio-economic development of remote areas while ensuring sustainable highway infrastructure.
