Rishikesh Bypass Construction Starts, 11-km Elevated Section Under Review

The construction of the much-anticipated Rishikesh bypass in Uttarakhand has officially begun, with a key initial step taken by the Network Planning Group (NPG) on Tuesday. The NPG, a crucial component of the PM Gati Shakti initiative aimed at integrated infrastructure development, conducted an evaluation of the proposed 11-kilometer elevated section of the project.

This elevated corridor, designed to traverse through the heart of the city, promises to significantly improve traffic flow by providing seamless access and entry for vehicles traveling from Dehradun and Haridwar towards the revered pilgrimage sites of Kedarnath-Badrinath and Yamunotri-Gangotri, eliminating the need to navigate through city junctions. According to a statement from the commerce and industry ministry, "The project includes a 6/4-lane elevated corridor and an additional four-lane road, offering alternative routes to manage future traffic and improve overall capacity."

Sources familiar with the project estimate that the construction of this critical elevated portion will entail an investment of approximately ₹1,500 crore. Officials indicated that the evaluation of the remaining two packages of the bypass project is expected to follow shortly. "But once the first part (elevated stretch) is completed, it will bring huge relief," an official stated, highlighting the immediate benefits anticipated from this phase. The second package of the project reportedly includes the construction of five tunnels.

The proposed bypass is designed to provide direct access for traffic originating from the Jolly Grant airport, ensuring unimpeded movement for pilgrims and tourists heading towards the Char Dhams. Furthermore, traffic coming from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab will be able to directly enter this elevated road, bypassing Rishikesh city entirely en route to the pilgrimage sites. The project will also eliminate existing railway crossings along the corridor and ensure a complete separation of through traffic from local vehicular movement.

Given the projected increase in traffic volume in the region, the Rishikesh bypass project is considered a crucial infrastructure development to enhance connectivity, reduce congestion, and facilitate smoother travel, particularly for pilgrims and tourists visiting the Char Dhams.