Archive · 13 Jan 2026
Landslides threaten Chardham highway and Beatles Ashram projects
In the mountains of Uttarakhand, India, there are two big projects: one to make roads wider for pilgrims going to holy places, and another to fix up the Beatles Ashram, a famous place where a famous music band once visited.
Both projects are having problems with landslides.
The road project is causing landslides because they cut into the mountains to make the roads wider, and the Ashram project is at risk because a part of the slope is sliding.
Experts warned about these problems, but some of their advice wasn't followed.
Now, there are landslides every few kilometres, and some people's homes have been damaged.
The government is trying to fix the problems, but it's not easy.
Some people are worried that the projects are making the mountains less safe, and they want better solutions to prevent more landslides.
The Chardham Pariyojana aims to widen 890 km of roads in the Garhwal Himalayas to 12-metre double-laned highways.
Expert committees warned that widening roads without protecting slopes would lead to landslides, but recommendations were not fully accepted.
In 2023, 164 landslides were counted between Rishikesh and Badrinath, disrupting the Chardham yatra and causing damage to homes and infrastructure.
Residents along the route report increased landslide activity and damage to their properties, with only minimal compensation provided.
Authorities are implementing mitigation measures like anchoring and iron meshes, but their effectiveness is uncertain.
- Who
- Residents, pilgrims, authorities, and consultancy firms involved in the Chardham Pariyojana and Beatles Ashram projects
- What
- Frequent landslides due to road widening and slope instability in the Himalayas
- When
- Ongoing since 2018, with significant issues in 2023
- Where
- Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand, India
- Why
- Road widening and construction activities without adequate slope protection and drainage measures
- Project Name
- Chardham Pariyojana and Beatles Ashram revamp
- Project Scope
- Road widening and heritage tourism
- Location
- Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand, India
- Landslides in 2023
- 164 landslides counted between Rishikesh and Badrinath
- Pilgrim Deaths
- Three pilgrims killed in a landslide
- Compensation Status
- Only four of 38 affected homes compensated
- Project Cost
- Rs 100 crore
- Consultancy Firm
- HCP Design, Planning, and Management