Char Dham Highway Project, Other NH Projects In Uttarakhand Delayed Due To Litigation, Land and Contractor Issues: Centre

The Central Government has cited multiple factors for the delay in the construction of the Char Dham Highway project and other national highway projects in Uttarakhand, including litigation, land acquisition issues, and contractor underperformance.

“The major reasons for delay in construction of Char Dham and other NH projects in the State of Uttarakhand are due to delays and litigations related to forest and environment clearances in various Courts of Law, delay in Land Acquisition, utility shifting, non-availability of soil/aggregate, poor performance of contractors, heavy rainfall affecting site work, wildlife clearances, local demands for additional facilities, arbitration/contractual disputes with contractors etc.," Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on Thursday (25 July).

Despite these setbacks, the minister stated that 2,969 km of National Highways have been developed in Uttarakhand between 2014–15 and June 2025.

Chardham project comprises improvement of five existing National Highways (NHs) connecting Chardham viz. Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath including Tanakpur to Pithoragarh section of Kailas-Mansarovar yatra, aggregating a length of about 825 km.

Out of 825 km length, over 600 km length has been completed.

Also Read: Char Dham Connectivity: Controversial Road Widening Project Did Not Need Environment Assessment, Centre Tells Parliament