Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi to seek urgent central assistance for repairing and rebuilding road infrastructure damaged by recent disasters and heavy rainfall across the state. Dhami highlighted the extensive destruction in Uttarkashi’s Dharali region, where roads and bridges were severely damaged in the August 5th flash floods, and pressed for speedy support to restore connectivity in disaster-hit areas.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari
Dharali Among the Worst-Hit During the meeting, CM Dhami briefed Minister Gadkari about the scale of devastation in Dharali, Uttarkashi, where torrential rains and debris flows caused widespread damage to both state and national highway stretches. Entire stretches of roads were washed away, bridges collapsed, and vital links to villages and pilgrimage routes were disrupted, leaving local residents and tourists stranded.
Dhami emphasised that quick restoration of road connectivity in Dharali is critical not only for relief and rehabilitation of affected families but also for maintaining access to pilgrimage centres and supporting the local economy, which depends heavily on tourism and horticulture.
Wider Impact Across the State The Chief Minister also drew attention to similar destruction in other parts of Uttarakhand, where heavy monsoon rains have triggered landslides and road cave-ins, paralysing transport. Several districts, including Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Pauri, and Nainital, have reported repeated incidents of highways being blocked due to falling debris and floods.
“Roads and bridges are the lifelines of our hill state,” Dhami reportedly told Gadkari. “When these are damaged, people lose not only access to essential services but also livelihoods. We seek the Centre’s immediate support for reconstruction so that relief reaches quickly and normal life is restored.”
Appeal for Central Assistance Dhami urged the Union Minister to approve special funds for immediate repairs under the central road infrastructure schemes and to extend long-term assistance for rebuilding resilient infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events. He highlighted the state’s limited financial resources and said that support from the central government is essential to deal with the magnitude of the damage.
The Chief Minister also requested the inclusion of Uttarakhand’s urgent requirements in ongoing national highway development projects, ensuring that disaster-prone stretches are given priority for slope stabilization, retaining walls, and tunnelling solutions.
Centre’s Assurance of Support Union Minister Nitin Gadkari assured Dhami that the Centre will extend all necessary help to Uttarakhand. He acknowledged the strategic importance of the state, both as a pilgrimage destination with routes to the Char Dham shrines and as a sensitive Himalayan region prone to natural disasters.
Gadkari said that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways would work in close coordination with the Uttarakhand government to expedite road repairs, bridge reconstruction, and preventive measures in vulnerable stretches. He also noted that modern engineering solutions and disaster-resilient designs would be prioritised to minimise risks in future.
Rebuilding for the Future The Dhami government has already mobilised state agencies for immediate clearance of debris and temporary restoration of blocked roads. However, officials admit that permanent solutions—such as rebuilding washed-out bridges, re-laying highways, and stabilising landslide-prone hillsides—require substantial financial and technical support from the Centre.
The Chief Minister said he was confident that with central backing, Uttarakhand would not only recover from the current devastation but also emerge stronger with infrastructure designed to withstand the challenges of climate change and extreme rainfall.
Looking Ahead The meeting between Dhami and Gadkari underscores the urgent need for disaster-resilient infrastructure planning in Uttarakhand. As the state continues to grapple with the annual cycle of monsoon-triggered destruction, experts argue that road and bridge projects must increasingly integrate geotechnical research, early-warning systems, and sustainable construction practices.
For now, the people of Dharali and other affected regions wait for the swift restoration of lifelines that connect them to markets, hospitals, schools, and the outside world. The assurance from the Union Minister has brought hope that help will arrive soon, paving the way for relief, recovery, and a stronger Uttarakhand.
