Transport and Communication | Uttarakhand State PSC (UKPSC): Preparation - UKPSC (Uttarakhand) PDF Download

 Page 1


Transport and Communication
Transport in Uttarakhand comprises all modes including Roadways,
Railways, Airways, Ropeways, Waterways and Pipelines. Due to its hilly
terrain roadways is the main mode of transportation. A brief discussion of all
modes of transportation has been made here.
Roadways
It is the main mode of transportation with more than 92% percent share in
total transportation of goods and passangers. In hilly areas it is the major
mode of transportation. A brief account of roads is given in following table.
Table 31.1: Statewide Road Category and Length
Category of Road
Road length as on
01.04.2000
Road Length as on
31.03.2018
National Highway 526.00 km 2,091.34 km
State Highway 1,235.04 km 4,387.23 km
Major District Road 1,364.15 km 2,154.84 km
Other District Road 4,583.01 km 2,750.82 km
Village Road 7,446.23 km 22,286.72 km
Light Vehicle Road 315.77 km 616.32 km
Bridle Roads/ Border
Tracks
3,970.00 km 3,127.29 km
Having a border with China, some portion of roads in Uttarakhand is also
being maintained by Border Road Organisation.Total Number of major
bridges in state is more than 1000.
Chardham Road Project
Started in 2016, by Central Gvernment, Chardham Project aims at providing
all weather road connectivity to Char Dhams of Uttarakhand viz. Yamunotri,
Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath resulting in better transportation facilities
Page 2


Transport and Communication
Transport in Uttarakhand comprises all modes including Roadways,
Railways, Airways, Ropeways, Waterways and Pipelines. Due to its hilly
terrain roadways is the main mode of transportation. A brief discussion of all
modes of transportation has been made here.
Roadways
It is the main mode of transportation with more than 92% percent share in
total transportation of goods and passangers. In hilly areas it is the major
mode of transportation. A brief account of roads is given in following table.
Table 31.1: Statewide Road Category and Length
Category of Road
Road length as on
01.04.2000
Road Length as on
31.03.2018
National Highway 526.00 km 2,091.34 km
State Highway 1,235.04 km 4,387.23 km
Major District Road 1,364.15 km 2,154.84 km
Other District Road 4,583.01 km 2,750.82 km
Village Road 7,446.23 km 22,286.72 km
Light Vehicle Road 315.77 km 616.32 km
Bridle Roads/ Border
Tracks
3,970.00 km 3,127.29 km
Having a border with China, some portion of roads in Uttarakhand is also
being maintained by Border Road Organisation.Total Number of major
bridges in state is more than 1000.
Chardham Road Project
Started in 2016, by Central Gvernment, Chardham Project aims at providing
all weather road connectivity to Char Dhams of Uttarakhand viz. Yamunotri,
Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath resulting in better transportation facilities
in border areas of the state. The project also includes Tanakpur-Pithoragarh
Highways. Table 30.2: represents it in details.
Table 31.2: Chardham Road Project
Road Length (in km) Amount (in crore rs.)
Rishikesh-Dharasu 144 1687.70
Dharasu-Yamunotri 95 1368.17
Dharasu-Gangotri 124 2183.85
Rishikesh-Rudraprayag 140 1824
Rudraprayag-Gaurikund 76 1040
Rudraprayag-Mana 160 1498.05
Tanakpur-Pithoragarh 150 1716.84
Costing a total of 11700 crore this project involves 4 laning of roads, 25
bridges, 13 bypasses, 2 tunnels etc. This project has strategic, economic and
environental consequences.According to environmentalists, this project may
have severe adverse impact on the fragile ecology and environment of
Himalaya in the state. Supreme Court appointed a high powered committee to
study environmental and ecological implications of the project under well
known environmentalist Ravi Chopra.
Railways
Railways is the second most important mode of transportation in the state but
is mainly confined to Tarai and Bhabar region. Haldwani, Kathgodam,
Ramnagar, Kashipur, Tanakpur, Dehradun, Haridwar, Roorkee and Rishikesh
are main railway stations. Dehradun, Rishikesh, Ramnagar, Kathgodam and
Tanakpur are important rail terminals. Dehradun the capital city is well
connected with major cities of the country. Railways plays important role in
industrial development of SIDCUL region of Pantnagar, Rudrapur and
Haridwar.
Char Dham Railways
This is Indian Railways’ proposed twin railway lines, will compliment the
Char Dham Highway project by connecting Chota Char Dham, from the
Page 3


Transport and Communication
Transport in Uttarakhand comprises all modes including Roadways,
Railways, Airways, Ropeways, Waterways and Pipelines. Due to its hilly
terrain roadways is the main mode of transportation. A brief discussion of all
modes of transportation has been made here.
Roadways
It is the main mode of transportation with more than 92% percent share in
total transportation of goods and passangers. In hilly areas it is the major
mode of transportation. A brief account of roads is given in following table.
Table 31.1: Statewide Road Category and Length
Category of Road
Road length as on
01.04.2000
Road Length as on
31.03.2018
National Highway 526.00 km 2,091.34 km
State Highway 1,235.04 km 4,387.23 km
Major District Road 1,364.15 km 2,154.84 km
Other District Road 4,583.01 km 2,750.82 km
Village Road 7,446.23 km 22,286.72 km
Light Vehicle Road 315.77 km 616.32 km
Bridle Roads/ Border
Tracks
3,970.00 km 3,127.29 km
Having a border with China, some portion of roads in Uttarakhand is also
being maintained by Border Road Organisation.Total Number of major
bridges in state is more than 1000.
Chardham Road Project
Started in 2016, by Central Gvernment, Chardham Project aims at providing
all weather road connectivity to Char Dhams of Uttarakhand viz. Yamunotri,
Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath resulting in better transportation facilities
in border areas of the state. The project also includes Tanakpur-Pithoragarh
Highways. Table 30.2: represents it in details.
Table 31.2: Chardham Road Project
Road Length (in km) Amount (in crore rs.)
Rishikesh-Dharasu 144 1687.70
Dharasu-Yamunotri 95 1368.17
Dharasu-Gangotri 124 2183.85
Rishikesh-Rudraprayag 140 1824
Rudraprayag-Gaurikund 76 1040
Rudraprayag-Mana 160 1498.05
Tanakpur-Pithoragarh 150 1716.84
Costing a total of 11700 crore this project involves 4 laning of roads, 25
bridges, 13 bypasses, 2 tunnels etc. This project has strategic, economic and
environental consequences.According to environmentalists, this project may
have severe adverse impact on the fragile ecology and environment of
Himalaya in the state. Supreme Court appointed a high powered committee to
study environmental and ecological implications of the project under well
known environmentalist Ravi Chopra.
Railways
Railways is the second most important mode of transportation in the state but
is mainly confined to Tarai and Bhabar region. Haldwani, Kathgodam,
Ramnagar, Kashipur, Tanakpur, Dehradun, Haridwar, Roorkee and Rishikesh
are main railway stations. Dehradun, Rishikesh, Ramnagar, Kathgodam and
Tanakpur are important rail terminals. Dehradun the capital city is well
connected with major cities of the country. Railways plays important role in
industrial development of SIDCUL region of Pantnagar, Rudrapur and
Haridwar.
Char Dham Railways
This is Indian Railways’ proposed twin railway lines, will compliment the
Char Dham Highway project by connecting Chota Char Dham, from the
existing Doiwala railway station near Dehradun to Gangotri and Yamunotri
via a fork at Uttarkashi and another set of twin rail links from the upcoming
railway station at Karnaprayag to Kedarnath and Badrinath via a fork at
Saikot. The line is also of strategic military importance and has designated a
national project.
The Char Dham Railway has two different Y-shaped railways, with total of
the following four individual rail lines:
 Doiwala–Dehradun–Uttarkashi–Maneri Gangotri Railway 131 km long
route will have the following 11 stations: Doiwala, Sangatiyawala Khurd,
Sarangdharwala, Ampata, Maror, Kandisaur, Chinyalisaur, Dunda,
Athali, Ladari and Maneri. Pilgrims will walk from Maneri to Gangotri.
This will take the railway and Char Dham road highway at Gangotri
closer to the large disputed India-China border area of Nelang Valley
which is currently in India›s operational control.[4][5] Maneri to
Gangotri is further 84 km.
 Uttarkashi–Palar Yamunotri Railway, 22 km long route will make a
“Y” fork connection at Athali from the Gangotri railway above to
reach at Palar railway station from where pilgrims will wtake road and
track to Yamunotri. Palar to Yamunotri is further 42 km.
System Broad Gauge
Terminal
Start at Doiwala for Yamunotri and Gangotri routes,
Start at Karnaprayagfor Kedarnath and Badrinath routes
End at Palar for Yamunotri,
End at Maneri for Gangotri,
End at Sonprayag for Kedarnath route,
End at Joshimath for Badrinath route
Services
Two separate Y-fork railways with a total of four
individual routes
Line length 327 km (203 mi)
Track length 327 km (203 mi)
Track gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6.0 in)
Highest
elevation
1,733 m (5,686 ft)
Page 4


Transport and Communication
Transport in Uttarakhand comprises all modes including Roadways,
Railways, Airways, Ropeways, Waterways and Pipelines. Due to its hilly
terrain roadways is the main mode of transportation. A brief discussion of all
modes of transportation has been made here.
Roadways
It is the main mode of transportation with more than 92% percent share in
total transportation of goods and passangers. In hilly areas it is the major
mode of transportation. A brief account of roads is given in following table.
Table 31.1: Statewide Road Category and Length
Category of Road
Road length as on
01.04.2000
Road Length as on
31.03.2018
National Highway 526.00 km 2,091.34 km
State Highway 1,235.04 km 4,387.23 km
Major District Road 1,364.15 km 2,154.84 km
Other District Road 4,583.01 km 2,750.82 km
Village Road 7,446.23 km 22,286.72 km
Light Vehicle Road 315.77 km 616.32 km
Bridle Roads/ Border
Tracks
3,970.00 km 3,127.29 km
Having a border with China, some portion of roads in Uttarakhand is also
being maintained by Border Road Organisation.Total Number of major
bridges in state is more than 1000.
Chardham Road Project
Started in 2016, by Central Gvernment, Chardham Project aims at providing
all weather road connectivity to Char Dhams of Uttarakhand viz. Yamunotri,
Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath resulting in better transportation facilities
in border areas of the state. The project also includes Tanakpur-Pithoragarh
Highways. Table 30.2: represents it in details.
Table 31.2: Chardham Road Project
Road Length (in km) Amount (in crore rs.)
Rishikesh-Dharasu 144 1687.70
Dharasu-Yamunotri 95 1368.17
Dharasu-Gangotri 124 2183.85
Rishikesh-Rudraprayag 140 1824
Rudraprayag-Gaurikund 76 1040
Rudraprayag-Mana 160 1498.05
Tanakpur-Pithoragarh 150 1716.84
Costing a total of 11700 crore this project involves 4 laning of roads, 25
bridges, 13 bypasses, 2 tunnels etc. This project has strategic, economic and
environental consequences.According to environmentalists, this project may
have severe adverse impact on the fragile ecology and environment of
Himalaya in the state. Supreme Court appointed a high powered committee to
study environmental and ecological implications of the project under well
known environmentalist Ravi Chopra.
Railways
Railways is the second most important mode of transportation in the state but
is mainly confined to Tarai and Bhabar region. Haldwani, Kathgodam,
Ramnagar, Kashipur, Tanakpur, Dehradun, Haridwar, Roorkee and Rishikesh
are main railway stations. Dehradun, Rishikesh, Ramnagar, Kathgodam and
Tanakpur are important rail terminals. Dehradun the capital city is well
connected with major cities of the country. Railways plays important role in
industrial development of SIDCUL region of Pantnagar, Rudrapur and
Haridwar.
Char Dham Railways
This is Indian Railways’ proposed twin railway lines, will compliment the
Char Dham Highway project by connecting Chota Char Dham, from the
existing Doiwala railway station near Dehradun to Gangotri and Yamunotri
via a fork at Uttarkashi and another set of twin rail links from the upcoming
railway station at Karnaprayag to Kedarnath and Badrinath via a fork at
Saikot. The line is also of strategic military importance and has designated a
national project.
The Char Dham Railway has two different Y-shaped railways, with total of
the following four individual rail lines:
 Doiwala–Dehradun–Uttarkashi–Maneri Gangotri Railway 131 km long
route will have the following 11 stations: Doiwala, Sangatiyawala Khurd,
Sarangdharwala, Ampata, Maror, Kandisaur, Chinyalisaur, Dunda,
Athali, Ladari and Maneri. Pilgrims will walk from Maneri to Gangotri.
This will take the railway and Char Dham road highway at Gangotri
closer to the large disputed India-China border area of Nelang Valley
which is currently in India›s operational control.[4][5] Maneri to
Gangotri is further 84 km.
 Uttarkashi–Palar Yamunotri Railway, 22 km long route will make a
“Y” fork connection at Athali from the Gangotri railway above to
reach at Palar railway station from where pilgrims will wtake road and
track to Yamunotri. Palar to Yamunotri is further 42 km.
System Broad Gauge
Terminal
Start at Doiwala for Yamunotri and Gangotri routes,
Start at Karnaprayagfor Kedarnath and Badrinath routes
End at Palar for Yamunotri,
End at Maneri for Gangotri,
End at Sonprayag for Kedarnath route,
End at Joshimath for Badrinath route
Services
Two separate Y-fork railways with a total of four
individual routes
Line length 327 km (203 mi)
Track length 327 km (203 mi)
Track gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6.0 in)
Highest
elevation
1,733 m (5,686 ft)
 Karnaprayag–Saikot–Sonprayag Kedarnath Railway 99 km long route
will have the following 7 stations: Karnaprayag, Siwai, Saikot, Bairath,
Chopta, Makkumath and Sonprayag. Pilgrims will walk 19 km from
Sonprayag to Kedarnath.
 Saikot–Joshimath Badrinath Railway, 75 km long route will make a "Y"
fork connection at Saikot from the Kedarnath railway above to
Joshimath. It will have the following 4 stations: Saikot, Tripak, Tartoli
and Joshimath. Pilgrims will walk 37 km from Joshimath to Badrinath.
This will take the railway and Char Dham road highway at Badrinath
closer to the disputed valley on India-China border area of Barahoti
which is currently in India's operational control
 Note: Rishikesh–Karnaprayag Railway is also an under construction
new railway link extension from the exiting Rishikesh railway station
to Karnaprayag. It will have the following 11 stations: Rishikesh,
Shivpuri, Byasi, Devprayag, Maletha, Srinagar, Dhari, Rudraprayag,
Gholtir, Gauchar, Karnaprayag.
Strategic importance-Once this railway line is completed, India-China
border will be closer to the rest of India by railway. The time taken to reach
the strategic border military stations from Delhi will be reduced by providing
safe and quick mode of public transport for personnel and equipment
Challenges-After the Konkan Railway and Jammu–Baramulla line, this
line will be the most challenging railway project in Indian Railways due to
high mountains, a large number of tunnels and high bridges and severe cold
weather in flood, landslide and earthquake prone high altitude mountainous
area.
Current status-Char Dham Railway project's 327 km long construction,
costing INR ?43,292 crore (USD $6.6 billion), began with the foundation
stone laying and commencement of INR ?120 crore Final Location Survey
(FSL) in May. In January 2018, Reconnaissance Survey was complete, and
Final Survey using airborne electromagnetic technique by Turkish-Ukrainian
company, has also been completed. After which track laying would begin in
December 2019.
Airways
Being a hilly state, airways become important mode of transportation. But
Page 5


Transport and Communication
Transport in Uttarakhand comprises all modes including Roadways,
Railways, Airways, Ropeways, Waterways and Pipelines. Due to its hilly
terrain roadways is the main mode of transportation. A brief discussion of all
modes of transportation has been made here.
Roadways
It is the main mode of transportation with more than 92% percent share in
total transportation of goods and passangers. In hilly areas it is the major
mode of transportation. A brief account of roads is given in following table.
Table 31.1: Statewide Road Category and Length
Category of Road
Road length as on
01.04.2000
Road Length as on
31.03.2018
National Highway 526.00 km 2,091.34 km
State Highway 1,235.04 km 4,387.23 km
Major District Road 1,364.15 km 2,154.84 km
Other District Road 4,583.01 km 2,750.82 km
Village Road 7,446.23 km 22,286.72 km
Light Vehicle Road 315.77 km 616.32 km
Bridle Roads/ Border
Tracks
3,970.00 km 3,127.29 km
Having a border with China, some portion of roads in Uttarakhand is also
being maintained by Border Road Organisation.Total Number of major
bridges in state is more than 1000.
Chardham Road Project
Started in 2016, by Central Gvernment, Chardham Project aims at providing
all weather road connectivity to Char Dhams of Uttarakhand viz. Yamunotri,
Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath resulting in better transportation facilities
in border areas of the state. The project also includes Tanakpur-Pithoragarh
Highways. Table 30.2: represents it in details.
Table 31.2: Chardham Road Project
Road Length (in km) Amount (in crore rs.)
Rishikesh-Dharasu 144 1687.70
Dharasu-Yamunotri 95 1368.17
Dharasu-Gangotri 124 2183.85
Rishikesh-Rudraprayag 140 1824
Rudraprayag-Gaurikund 76 1040
Rudraprayag-Mana 160 1498.05
Tanakpur-Pithoragarh 150 1716.84
Costing a total of 11700 crore this project involves 4 laning of roads, 25
bridges, 13 bypasses, 2 tunnels etc. This project has strategic, economic and
environental consequences.According to environmentalists, this project may
have severe adverse impact on the fragile ecology and environment of
Himalaya in the state. Supreme Court appointed a high powered committee to
study environmental and ecological implications of the project under well
known environmentalist Ravi Chopra.
Railways
Railways is the second most important mode of transportation in the state but
is mainly confined to Tarai and Bhabar region. Haldwani, Kathgodam,
Ramnagar, Kashipur, Tanakpur, Dehradun, Haridwar, Roorkee and Rishikesh
are main railway stations. Dehradun, Rishikesh, Ramnagar, Kathgodam and
Tanakpur are important rail terminals. Dehradun the capital city is well
connected with major cities of the country. Railways plays important role in
industrial development of SIDCUL region of Pantnagar, Rudrapur and
Haridwar.
Char Dham Railways
This is Indian Railways’ proposed twin railway lines, will compliment the
Char Dham Highway project by connecting Chota Char Dham, from the
existing Doiwala railway station near Dehradun to Gangotri and Yamunotri
via a fork at Uttarkashi and another set of twin rail links from the upcoming
railway station at Karnaprayag to Kedarnath and Badrinath via a fork at
Saikot. The line is also of strategic military importance and has designated a
national project.
The Char Dham Railway has two different Y-shaped railways, with total of
the following four individual rail lines:
 Doiwala–Dehradun–Uttarkashi–Maneri Gangotri Railway 131 km long
route will have the following 11 stations: Doiwala, Sangatiyawala Khurd,
Sarangdharwala, Ampata, Maror, Kandisaur, Chinyalisaur, Dunda,
Athali, Ladari and Maneri. Pilgrims will walk from Maneri to Gangotri.
This will take the railway and Char Dham road highway at Gangotri
closer to the large disputed India-China border area of Nelang Valley
which is currently in India›s operational control.[4][5] Maneri to
Gangotri is further 84 km.
 Uttarkashi–Palar Yamunotri Railway, 22 km long route will make a
“Y” fork connection at Athali from the Gangotri railway above to
reach at Palar railway station from where pilgrims will wtake road and
track to Yamunotri. Palar to Yamunotri is further 42 km.
System Broad Gauge
Terminal
Start at Doiwala for Yamunotri and Gangotri routes,
Start at Karnaprayagfor Kedarnath and Badrinath routes
End at Palar for Yamunotri,
End at Maneri for Gangotri,
End at Sonprayag for Kedarnath route,
End at Joshimath for Badrinath route
Services
Two separate Y-fork railways with a total of four
individual routes
Line length 327 km (203 mi)
Track length 327 km (203 mi)
Track gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6.0 in)
Highest
elevation
1,733 m (5,686 ft)
 Karnaprayag–Saikot–Sonprayag Kedarnath Railway 99 km long route
will have the following 7 stations: Karnaprayag, Siwai, Saikot, Bairath,
Chopta, Makkumath and Sonprayag. Pilgrims will walk 19 km from
Sonprayag to Kedarnath.
 Saikot–Joshimath Badrinath Railway, 75 km long route will make a "Y"
fork connection at Saikot from the Kedarnath railway above to
Joshimath. It will have the following 4 stations: Saikot, Tripak, Tartoli
and Joshimath. Pilgrims will walk 37 km from Joshimath to Badrinath.
This will take the railway and Char Dham road highway at Badrinath
closer to the disputed valley on India-China border area of Barahoti
which is currently in India's operational control
 Note: Rishikesh–Karnaprayag Railway is also an under construction
new railway link extension from the exiting Rishikesh railway station
to Karnaprayag. It will have the following 11 stations: Rishikesh,
Shivpuri, Byasi, Devprayag, Maletha, Srinagar, Dhari, Rudraprayag,
Gholtir, Gauchar, Karnaprayag.
Strategic importance-Once this railway line is completed, India-China
border will be closer to the rest of India by railway. The time taken to reach
the strategic border military stations from Delhi will be reduced by providing
safe and quick mode of public transport for personnel and equipment
Challenges-After the Konkan Railway and Jammu–Baramulla line, this
line will be the most challenging railway project in Indian Railways due to
high mountains, a large number of tunnels and high bridges and severe cold
weather in flood, landslide and earthquake prone high altitude mountainous
area.
Current status-Char Dham Railway project's 327 km long construction,
costing INR ?43,292 crore (USD $6.6 billion), began with the foundation
stone laying and commencement of INR ?120 crore Final Location Survey
(FSL) in May. In January 2018, Reconnaissance Survey was complete, and
Final Survey using airborne electromagnetic technique by Turkish-Ukrainian
company, has also been completed. After which track laying would begin in
December 2019.
Airways
Being a hilly state, airways become important mode of transportation. But
due to lack of economic viability and lack of interest from private sector this
mode of transportation is yet to take the leap. Following are the main airports
of Uttarakhand.
1. Jolly Grant, Dehradun.
2. Pantnagar Airport, U S Nagar,
3. Naini Saini, Pithoragarh and
4. Gouchar Airport in Chamoli.
Currently flights are being operated to other cities of country from Pantnagar
and Jolly Grant. Under UDAAN scheme of Government of India flights are
also being operated from Pantnagar and Naini Saini. Government has
proposed to develop Jolly Grant Airport as international airpoet.
Unlike Aeroplanes, Helicopter has got currency as a mode of air transport.
Helicopters are being used in Char Dham Yatra, during disaster rescue
operations, for government service and for strategic and security purposes in
border regions.
Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority
Most of the state of Uttarakhand is a mountainous region of the central
Himalayas. Due to this there is often lack of facilities like rail and aircraft, as
a result of which road is the only accessible means of commuting. Due to the
specific geographical situation of the state it is not possible to work on rescue
from the road after the disaster arises. Travel can be saved only by air by the
air on the hill.
Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority has been set up on May
30, 2013 of Uttarakhand governance. The main objective of the Authority is
to strengthen the existing helipads, construct new helipad, tourism, as well as
promote private sector participation and investment in the tourism sector,
providing air security service and without affecting the VIP flight To increase
your income, use of airfare / helicopters in private / commercial flights is also
decided Duty to use.
The Authority is constituted as an autonomous body, whose structure is as
follows: -
Civil Aviation Minister, Uttarakhand -President
Chief Secretary, Uttarakhand Governor-Vice President
Principal Secretary / Secretary Civil Aviation Department - Ex-officio