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Under Bharatmala Project Up-gradation to Two-Lane with Paved Shoulder Jauljibi to Baijnath.

Location

The project corridor is situated on NH-109K in Pithoragarh and Bageshwar districts of Uttarakhand. It extends from Jauljibi (Design Ch. 0+000) to Baijnath (Design Ch. 213.642 km), covering key intermediate locations including Bangapani, Munsiyari, Girgaon, Ramgangapool, Kapkot, and Bageshwar. The corridor lies in strategically important and geographically challenging Himalayan terrain near the Indo-Nepal and Indo-China border regions.

Background and Problem Statement

NH-109K is a vital arterial route providing connectivity to remote border areas and high-altitude towns such as Munsiyari and Bangapani. The existing road is narrow, geometrically deficient, and vulnerable to landslides and terrain instability.

Major issues affecting the project include:

  • Requirement of Compensatory Afforestation (CA) land and delays in availability of CA details from district authorities.
  • Alignment approval pending in certain packages due to superimposition on khasra maps.
  • Ongoing land acquisition processes under Section 3A/3D.
  • Forest clearance and proposal preparation in progress.

The limited carriageway width and substandard geometry restrict traffic capacity, increase travel time, and pose safety concerns, particularly in hilly and border areas.

Project Concept and Need

The project envisages up-gradation of the entire NH-109K corridor from Jauljibi to Baijnath to a Two-Lane configuration with paved shoulders. The objective is to:

  • Improve highway standards in accordance with Bharatmala guidelines.
  • Enhance strategic and defence connectivity to border regions.
  • Provide all-weather reliable road infrastructure.
  • Improve traffic flow and reduce travel time.
  • Support socio-economic development of remote hill districts.

The corridor development is divided into seven packages for phased and systematic implementation.

Package-wise Coverage:

  • Package I: Jauljibi to Bangapani (0.000 – 29.306 km)
  • Package II: Bangapani to Munsiyari (29.306 – 59.836 km)
  • Package III: Munsiyari to Girgaon (59.836 – 96.264 km)
  • Package IV: Girgaon to Ramgangapool (96.264 – 125.002 km)
  • Package V: Ramgangapool to Kapkot (125.337 – 165.702 km)
  • Package VI: Kapkot to Bageshwar (165.702 – 189.752 km)
  • Package VII: Bageshwar to Baijnath (189.752 – 213.642 km)

Key Components and Features

  • Up-gradation to Two-Lane with Paved Shoulder NH configuration.
  • Geometric improvements to enhance riding quality and safety.
  • Strengthening of pavement structure.
  • Provision of drainage and protection works in vulnerable stretches.
  • Land acquisition and forest clearance processes under progress.

Key strategic stretches covered include

  • Helong–Joshimath
  • Joshimath–Marwari
  • Vishnuprayag–Lambagarh
  • Lambagarh–Benakuli
  • Mana–Mana Pass
  • Joshimath–Suraithota–Malari (NH-107B)

Expected Benefits and Outcomes

  • Improved traffic flow and substantial reduction in travel time along NH-109K.
  • Decongestion of key towns such as Bangapani, Madkot, and Munsiyari.
  • Strengthened strategic and defence connectivity in sensitive border areas.
  • Reduced vehicle operating costs and improved fuel efficiency.
  • Promotion of tourism in high-altitude destinations like Munsiyari.
  • Environmentally sustainable development with planned mitigation measures.
  • Enhanced socio-economic growth in Pithoragarh and Bageshwar districts.

Current Status of the Project

Overall Status: Project under various stages of land acquisition, forest clearance, and proposal processing.

  • Package I (Jauljibi–Bangapani): Under process; request for CA land submitted to DM Pithoragarh.
  • Packages II & III: Alignment superimposed on khasra maps; alignment approval awaited.
  • Package IV: 3A prepared and submitted to CALA Pithoragarh; joint visit with Forest Division completed; proposal under preparation.
  • Packages V, VI & VII: Details of CA land with coordinates awaited from ADM Bageshwar.

Conclusion

The NH-109K corridor development under Bharatmala Pariyojana is a strategically significant infrastructure initiative aimed at strengthening connectivity in the remote and border regions of Uttarakhand. By upgrading the highway to a Two-Lane paved shoulder configuration, the project will enhance safety, reduce travel time, and improve defence mobility while fostering tourism and regional economic development.

Upon completion, the Jauljibi–Baijnath corridor will serve as a robust, all-weather, and strategically vital highway supporting both national security and inclusive regional growth.

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