Bridge Clears Key Hurdle in Sirohbagad Bypass After Four-Year Delay
A bridge stalled for four years on the Kaliyasaur-Khankra bypass, built to route traffic around the landslide-prone Sirohbagad stretch of the Badrinath highway, has been completed.
Current Summary
Public Works Department officials say a bridge that had been stalled for four years over a technical issue has now been completed as part of the Kaliyasaur-Khankra bypass project, intended to ease recurring landslides and traffic jams at Sirohbagad on the Badrinath national highway. The 3.22-kilometre bypass, being built under the Char Dham project at a cost of around Rs 126 crore, includes two bridges over the Alaknanda river with spans of 182 metres and 189 metres, and a third bridge over a stream with a 258-metre span. PWD superintending engineer Arun Kumar Pandey said the bypass is being constructed using cement concrete and is targeted for completion by May 2027, with the alternative route becoming fully functional only once all bridges are complete. The Sirohbagad slide zone has disrupted traffic for nearly six decades, affecting residents of Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts as well as pilgrims travelling to Badrinath and Kedarnath, with falling rocks and debris frequently closing the stretch, particularly during the Char Dham Yatra and monsoon.
What We Know
- A bridge stalled for four years due to a technical issue has been completed as part of the Kaliyasaur-Khankra bypass project, PWD officials said.
- The bypass is being built under the Char Dham project to divert traffic from the chronic Sirohbagad landslide zone on the Badrinath national highway.
- The 3.22-km bypass includes two bridges over the Alaknanda river (182m and 189m spans) and one over a stream (258m span).
- The project costs around Rs 126 crore and is targeted for completion by May 2027, per PWD superintending engineer Arun Kumar Pandey.
- Sirohbagad has disrupted traffic for nearly six decades, affecting Rudraprayag and Chamoli residents and Char Dham pilgrims.
What Is Still Unclear
- The exact date the bridge was completed.
- Which of the three planned bridges this refers to.
- When the bypass will become partially usable versus fully functional.
What Changed
- 29 Oct, 05:11 pmSignal detected: Bridge Clears Key Hurdle in Sirohbagad Bypass After Four-Year Delay
Background
The Sirohbagad slide zone on the Badrinath highway has been a major traffic and safety concern for nearly six decades, with falling rocks and debris frequently stranding pilgrims, residents and emergency services, especially during the Char Dham Yatra and monsoon season.