Rudraprayag Bypass Opens, Diverting Char Dham Pilgrims
· India · Indian Express
A 1.18-km bridge‑and‑tunnel link near Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand opened to traffic on Monday, aiming to route pilgrims away from the town’s congested market. The Rs 156‑crore project includes a 900‑metre tunnel, a 200‑metre Alaknanda River bridge and connecting roads, linking NH‑107 and NH‑07 for easier access to Kedarnath and Badrinath. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inspected the route and said a formal inauguration is forthcoming. The state recorded 51.06 lakh pilgrims in 2025, a rise from 46.69 lakh in 2024, while over 5.1 lakh vehicles reached the four shrines last year. Kedarnath attracted the highest footfall at 17.68 lakh, followed by Badrinath with more than 16.6 lakh visitors. The new bypass will separate through‑traffic from local traffic, easing congestion on roads through built‑up areas during the pilgrimage season.
Why it matters
The bypass will cut travel times for the millions of Char Dham pilgrims who rely on the congested Rudraprayag market, improving journey conditions for both travelers and locals. Reduced congestion could lower fuel consumption and vehicle wear, and the route will also benefit the roughly 5.1 lakh vehicles that reach the four shrines annually, easing logistical pressure on the mountain network. The project also supports the growing pilgrimage traffic, which rose from 46.69 lakh in 2024 to 51.06 la
Read the original report — Indian Express
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