Centre plans design changes in Char Dham road stretch

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is evaluating potential design modifications to the Char Dham road stretch, located within the environmentally sensitive Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone. This initiative comes amid concerns regarding the impact of road construction on the fragile ecosystem and local biodiversity. The Char Dham project aims to enhance accessibility to revered pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, but it has faced criticism from environmentalists who argue that the current designs threaten the region's ecological balance. The proposed changes are intended to address these environmental concerns while ensuring that the road infrastructure meets the needs of both pilgrims and local communities. Stakeholders are hopeful that with careful planning and design alterations, it will be possible to strike a balance between development and environmental preservation in this picturesque yet vulnerable region.