BRO is continuing with its efforts of opening the road network in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. BRO has pressed in to service about 130 excavators and Bulldozers. Despite bad weather BRO has kept open both the main axis i.e. Rishikesh to Uttarkashi and Rishikesh – Joshimath – Govindghat in Uttarakhand. Two major block points between Govindghat and Joshimath have been cleared.
About 1000 vehicles stranded at Govindgaht have been cleared. Good progress has been made on road Pithoragarh to Dharchulha and it is hoped that Dharchulha will be connected in next 3-4 days. Only one major block point is left to be connected. In Himachal Pradesh, on Wangtu Pooh sector, Pooh is likely to be connected in next 3-4 days. It is also hoped that road up to Kaurik will be opened by 15 July 2013. The road wise status is as under:
Road Rishikesh-Dharasu- Uttarkashi – Gangotri :- Road up to Uttarkashi is opened . .Beyond Uttarkashi there is 7-8 major road breaches. The efforts made in last four days have brought good results. A large portion of the road between Harshil and Uttarkashi has since been cleared.The road between Harshil and Uttarkashi is already open. BRO has made foot tracks to give connectivity. Big task ahead is to connect the 20 km road beyond Uttarkashi.
Road Rishikesh-Joshimath-Badrinath- Mana :- The axis has been kept open despite heavy rains and fresh landslides and sinking of road at many places up to km 496.400 (Govindghat). There are four major breaches beyond Govindghat. 50 m bridge at Lambagarh has been washed away. Efforts are on to link the road from both Govindghat and Badrinath sides. A readymade foot Bridge has been made at Pandukeshwar across river Alaknanda near Govindghat on Joshimath – Badrinath axis. Lately, the first two breach point at km 496.400 has been opened and work is going on to clear next breach point. This will open the road up to km 500. More than 1000 vehicles stuck between km 496 and km 500 have been cleared.
Rudraprayag-Gaurikund Road: – The road has suffered extensive damages .Presently the road from Rudraprayaga side has been cleared up to km 18 (August Muni). Now efforts are on to clear the road between km 18 and 35. The continuous rain and high water level in river has badly affected clearance works and also damaged some stretches which were earlier repaired.
Tanakpur – Pithoraghat – Tawaghat – Ghatiabagarh :- BRO has pressed in to service about 30 Bulldozers & excavators on this route. The road upto Pithoragarh is through for all traffic. Beyond Pithoragarh, the road is through up to Km 84.Now only one major block point is left before Dharchulha. Road has already been opened between km 86 and 96. Beyond this point up to Tawaghat, there are four major breaches. Efforts are being made to connect Dharchulha (km 90) for all type of vehicles in next 3-4 days.
Road Jauljibi – Munsiyari :- This axis is closed due to major breaches at about 10 locations. Total road breached is more than 3.5 Km. However efforts are on to clear the road with the help of 8 Bulldozers & excavators. About 35 km road has been cleared.
Roads in Himachal Pradesh :- The roads Wangthu – Pooh and Pooh – Kaurik has suffered extensive damage. The roads have been partly cleared up to Spillow. District headquarter at Rikangpio has been connected as a big relief to the local population. It is hoped that Pooh will be connected in next 3-4 days. The road up to Kaurik is likely to be connected by 15 July 2013. Efforts are on to completely clear the road. Some stretches have been cut off from both sides. Resources are being airlifted to clear these stretches.