Archive · 13 Aug 2025
Experts Warn of Risks in Chardham Highway Widening Project
Imagine building a new road in the mountains.
Some experts worry that the current plan to make the roads wider could be dangerous, like what happened in Dharali during the flash floods.
They think it might cause landslides and avalanches because it involves cutting into the slopes.
They have a different plan that would be safer for the environment, with bridges and roads that are less likely to cause problems.
But the people in charge of the project haven't listened to the experts.
They've been warned that building too close to rivers and streams in the mountains is risky, and the experts believe they should consider their advice.
Experts warn that the Chardham road widening project could cause disasters like the Dharali flash floods.
The project involves widening roads in the Himalayas, potentially destabilizing slopes and forests.
Experts propose an alternative design to minimize environmental impact and disaster risk.
The existing plan risks slope instability and could lead to avalanche debris.
Authorities are accused of ignoring warnings and violating environmental regulations.
- Who
- Senior geologist Navin Juyal and environmentalist Hemant Dhyani, along with other experts, are issuing the warning.
- What
- Experts are warning of potential disasters from the Chardham highway widening project in Uttarakhand, India.
- When
- The warning was issued following the Dharali flash floods.
- Where
- Uttarakhand, India, specifically the Chardham road project area, including Bhagirathi Eco Sensitive Zone.
- Why
- Due to concerns that the road widening project's current design could trigger disasters similar to the recent Dharali flash floods, which destroyed almost half of Dharali, leaving more than 60 people missing.
Environmental/Expert View
Authorities/Project View
Road Widening Approach
Environmental/Expert View
Current Chardham road widening design is a risk to the environment and could lead to disasters like the Dharali flash floods.
Authorities/Project View
Current Chardham road widening is essential for providing year-round connectivity to major pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand and to enhance strategic access in the fragile Himalayan region.
Environmental Impact Concerns
Environmental/Expert View
The Netala bypass and felling of trees will destabilize avalanche debris, causing extreme instability and damages.
Authorities/Project View
Authorities have ignored repeated scientific warnings about the vulnerability of the fragile Himalayan locations.
- Project Name
- Chardham all-weather road widening project
- Location
- Uttarakhand, India
- BESZ
- Bhagirathi Eco Sensitive Zone
- Highway Length
- 889 km
- Disaster Reference
- Dharali flash floods
- Experts' Concern
- Slope instability, tree felling and environmental impact