Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand) [India], July 25 : The under-construction motor bridge and tunnel project in Rudraprayag, aimed at making the Badrinath and Kedarnath Yatra smoother, has reached its final stage. The project is likely to be opened for traffic in August.
The National Highways Department is constructing motor bridges measuring approximately 900.30 metres and 200 metres to improve connectivity on the Badrinath and Kedarnath pilgrimage route. The Central Government has sanctioned ₹156 crore for this ambitious infrastructure project.
According to Vishal Mishra, Rudraprayag District Magistrate, around 99 per cent of the work on the bridge and tunnel connecting the Kedarnath and Badrinath highways has been completed, with the remaining one percent progressing rapidly.
Speaking to ANI, Vishal Mishra said, "...The work on the tunnel is complete. Work on the bridge is being done rapidly. We hope that we will be able to open the bridge for trial testing by the end of August. When tunnel and bridge are connected, people will be benefitted..."
According to the department, load testing of the bridge will be carried out shortly, following which it is expected to be opened for vehicular traffic in August.
Once operational, the bridge is expected to significantly ease the heavy traffic congestion witnessed in Rudraprayag's main market during the Char Dham Yatra season. It will provide smoother and safer connectivity for both pilgrims and residents, the District Magistrate noted.
On the other hand, earlier this week on Thursday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched several new welfare schemes for registered construction workers under the Uttarakhand Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.
He also flagged off two Medical Mobile Vans under the Chief Minister Health Scheme for construction workers and their families.
Addressing a programme at the Mukhya Sevak Sadan in the Chief Minister's Camp Office, Dhami said the state government is committed to the welfare of workers and that the newly launched initiatives would significantly improve the quality of life of construction workers and their families.
Dhami further said the state government is empowering workers by providing essential tools, bicycles and sewing machines to strengthen their livelihoods. Registered construction workers are also being provided financial assistance to build or purchase houses. In addition, elderly construction workers are being provided monthly pensions to ensure financial security and dignity in their later years.
The Chief Minister urged all eligible construction workers to renew their registration with the Uttarakhand Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board regularly so that they can continue to avail themselves of all welfare schemes launched by the government.
Earlier, Board Secretary P C Dumka presented an overview of the Board's activities and briefed the gathering about the newly launched welfare initiatives.