In a major step towards improving regional connectivity, the foundation stone for the ₹20.89 crore reconstruction of the Khatima–Melaghat State Highway (No. 107) was laid in Udham Singh Nagar district on Thursday. The project aims to enhance road infrastructure in the border region, promote trade with Nepal, and provide better transport facilities for residents across rural Uttarakhand.
Our correspondent reports that the project will involve the redevelopment of an 11.5-kilometre stretch of road, including the installation of a modern drainage system, road safety features, and new signage, along with technical strengthening through TBM and BC methods. Once completed, the upgraded route is expected to ensure smoother, safer, and more durable connectivity for both local commuters and cross-border travellers.
The Chief Minister said that the Khatima–Melaghat route serves not only as a key link for regional mobility but also as a strategic corridor connecting India and Nepal. He noted that the road’s reconstruction would open new avenues for trade, tourism, and education, strengthening economic activity in the border region.
Our correspondent adds that the Chief Minister emphasised the need to align infrastructure growth with environmental preservation and safety standards. He said that the project will focus on preventing soil erosion and improving drainage channels to make the road sustainable and resistant to seasonal damage.
He also highlighted that Khatima has emerged as an educational hub, attracting students from across Uttarakhand and neighbouring areas. Improved connectivity, he said, would further benefit education, commerce, and social development.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the government is working with a vision to make every part of Uttarakhand accessible, robust, and prosperous. He described the ₹20.89 crore Khatima–Melaghat Road Project as a milestone that will contribute significantly to local growth and quality of life.
Our correspondent reports that the state government continues to advance large-scale infrastructure works under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that “Connectivity is the Backbone of Development.” The Chief Minister directed engineers and contractors to ensure the project’s quality and durability, making the road pothole-free and structurally resilient.
He added that connectivity is not limited to physical infrastructure but also represents the government’s commitment to ensuring that the benefits of development reach every household. The Khatima–Melaghat road, he said, will serve as a model for similar projects across the state.
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister extended Diwali and festive greetings to the public, urging citizens to uphold peace, cleanliness, and social harmony during the celebrations. He said that collective responsibility and civic awareness are vital to sustaining Uttarakhand’s growth and unity.
The event was attended by District Panchayat Chairperson Ajay Maurya, Municipal Chairperson Ramesh Chandra Joshi, party representatives Farzana Begum, Anil Kapoor Dabbu, and Shankar Koranga, former MLA Dr Prem Singh Rana, District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadoria, and other officials and dignitaries.
Once completed, the ₹20.89 crore Khatima–Melaghat Road Project is expected to boost mobility, border trade, and tourism while supporting the region’s broader economic and social development goals.
