Chardham Project in Uttarakhand | 15 Oct 2024

Why in News?  

Recently, the Centre informed the Supreme Court that 75% of the work on the Chardham Project, designed to improve connectivity to four major pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, has been completed.

Key Points

• Chardham Project: 
  • The project involves the construction of a 900-kilometer all-weather road to provide better connectivity to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. 
  • The project is strategically important as it extends to regions near the China border. 
  • The new highways will make travel easier and safer, especially during monsoons and winter, when the existing roads become prone to landslides and blockages. 
• Oversight Committee: 
  • The Supreme Court had previously formed an oversight committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice A.K. Sikri to address environmental concerns. 
  • The committee has submitted two reports to the Supreme Court, one in April 2024 and another on 27th August, 2024, assessing the project's progress and compliance with guidelines. 
• Environmental Concerns and Court Orders: 
  • The project faced opposition due to environmental concerns related to the sensitive Himalayan ecosystem. 
  • In December 2021, the Supreme Court allowed double-lane widening of the Chardham Highway but placed oversight responsibilities on the Sikri-led committee to mitigate environmental damage. 
  • The oversight committee does not have the mandate to conduct a fresh environmental impact assessment but monitors the execution of the project. 
• Support from Government Ministries: 
  • The committee has the complete backing of the Ministries of Defence, Road Transport, and Environment. 
  • The Uttarakhand Government and local district magistrates are also cooperating with the committee. 
  • Representatives from the National Environmental Research Institute and the Forest Research Institute (Dehradun) are part of the environmental oversight mechanism.